in touch, reminders approaching 1st and 3rd, chased leader 5th, every chance 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders to 3 out
held up, behind from 4th
held up, jumped left 1st, headway after 4th, chased winner after 3 out, one pace after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on outside after 4th, weakened after 2 out
with leader, hit 2nd, led approaching 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, behind from 4th, tailed off
mid-division, ridden after 5th, never near leaders
led until before 3rd, weakened after 5th, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led in start, reluctant to race, detached in last until after 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, not clear run briefly on bend before 2 out, went 2nd, not fluent last, no impression
chased leaders, led after 3 out, came clear from 2 out, stayed on
chased leaders, close 3rd 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Mariday, Just Superb and City of Manchester and the narrow vote is given to Mariday. The selection was a fair fifth behind Sheriff Roscoe last time out; that form sets the standard in the context of this race and with the drop in trip also in his favour he looks the one to be on. Just Superb rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Kelv but all his best form is over a longer trip and for that reason he is opposed. City Of Manchester is well in on his best form but consistency is not his strong point and he is taken on with this in mind. Akash is from a shrewd, in-form yard and should be watched in the market but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Mariday to small stakes.
Just Superb 9-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 18, 21l behind Kelv (10-11) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
City of Manchester (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced from 4th, stayed on from 3 out, left 3rd last, one pace last, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Travello (11-0) at Chepstow 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Blackthorn 28-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out weakened after 3 out, 4th of 16, 21l behind Go Harvey Go (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Ember Dancer 66-1 (10-1) Behind, some headway after 3 out, 8th and weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Stoop To Conquer (11-2) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Akash (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Close up, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 25l behind Jendali Lad (9-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Mariday 15-8fav (10-4) Never fluent, led, jumped slowly 5th, soon headed and driven, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 25l behind Sheriff Roscoe (11-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl (4) gf.
Macreater 10-1 (10-7) With winner, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra from last, 7th of 12, 6l behind Southern Bazaar (10-1) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Major Jon (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leader until not fluent 5th, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 33l behind Park Lane Princess (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
