led 2nd to 3rd, stayed prominent to 10th, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off 9th
mid-division, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, mistake 7th, weakened after 11th
towards rear, steady headway 5th, led 11th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened last
tracked leader, led 5th to 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, went 2nd after 11th, led after 3 out, clear last, eased towards finish
mid-division, ridden approaching 9th, soon weakened
led to 2nd, led again 3rd to 5th, led again 6th, ridden and headed 11th, soon weakened
never going well, always behind
behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
A real headscratcher of a race and the tentative vote goes to Wee Danny, with Lantern Leader, Delaware and Excellent Vibes being others to consider. The selection comes into the reckoning by virtue of the fact that he won from a mark of 97 in October and is now rated 98 but his rider claims six pounds off his back. Given that he is also aged just six, then he could have some improvement to come. Lantern Leader is well weighted based on the best of his Irish form and, although his recent British runs have been disappointing, maybe a first-time visor will help him along. The Martin Pipe-trained Delaware will be fit from point-to-pointing and, given that he won from a mark of 105 at Newton Abbot two years ago, he could hold a chance from his current rating of 103. Excellent Vibes is another to be back to near a winning mark and Sam Thomas is an interesting jockey booking. Chances can be given to others too but, overall, we are hoping for a big run from Wee Danny.
