tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, every chance when not fluent next, 4th and weakening 2 out
in touch in rear on outside, shaken up after 5th, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten, weakened well before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch in rear, closed 4th, challenged 3 out until edged left before last, held by winner after, kept on
in touch in rear on inside, closed after 4 out, led before 2 out, driven out flat
tracked leaders, 2nd 4th, not fluent next, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
with leader until 4th, soon ridden and lost place, behind from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, jumped left and not fluent 1st, headed before 2 out, 3rd and weakening when not fluent at hurdle
GRAASTEN was last seen running behind Brain Power in a Listed handicap at Sandown. He’s had a few weeks off but the Plumpton winner should outclass modest opposition in this. Broughtons Rhythm was fancied in a maiden here last month and fair runs at Newbury and Market Rasen but was easily brushed aside up the home straight. Zenafire's third at Southwell doesn’t amount to much and Weld Arab’s absence since September has to be a concern. Star Of Namibia may do better now handicapping but was a long-standing maiden on the Flat.
Graasten (GER) 11-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, weakened quickly on long run before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Brain Power (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Conteur d'Histoire (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, weakened before next, 14th of 15, dist behind Matchaway (11-13) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Zenafire 16-1 (11-2) Prominent in chasing group, went right 6th, pushed along in modest 3rd after 3 out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 14, 14 1/4l behind Buckle Street (10-7) at Southwell 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Broughtons Rhythm 9-4 (11-4) Close up, led before 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Quids In (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
Weld Arab (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 14, 4 1/4l behind The Way You Dance (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Star Of Namibia (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, soon lost place, 6th of 8, 27l behind Wenyerreadyfreddie (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
Thehossbehind (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 32l behind Celestial Magic (12-5) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
