took keen hold, held up, headway after 2nd, chased winner 4th until 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked winner until mistake 4th, not fluent when broke leg next and pulled up
held up, headway after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
made all, drew clear on extended flat, unchallenged
tracked leaders, chased winner 7th, not fluent last, soon beaten, raced awkwardly on extended flat
held up in rear, hampered 5th, headway approaching 7th, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
CALZAGHE has an obvious opportunity to score in this grade with Don't Rush It and Foresight likely to represent the most pertinent dangers. Jim Best's charge has been kept ticking over on the flat during the snowy weather but he is far better than plating company over hurdles and while this is a tougher assignment that some of the races he has been engaged in; he should possess too much ability for this bunch. Don't Rush It had taken his chances for Eddie O'Grady in Ireland in the past and will be making his debut for John Quinn. It is somewhat surprising that a selling event is his first port of call in Britain. Foresight produced a very good second to Reindeer Dippin over hurdles at Bangor. Donald McCain's raider is making his first foray into selling company and would be interesting if money is seen for him. All credit to Alison Thorpe for getting a victory out of Tabaran. He is a thorough rogue who is best avoided from a punting perspective. Diddley Dee shaped with some promise in bumpers though has not progressed since those halcyon days. Calzaghe is no gimme in this tacky going but it would be a considerable disappointment were his class not able to pull him through.
Diddley Dee 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hung right and weakened 6th, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Barafundle (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Foresight 15-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 13l behind American Art (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Ibbetson (USA) 40-1 (10-9) Held up, jumped right 1st, ridden approaching 6th, always behind, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Barafundle (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lightening Fire (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 18, 29l behind Beshairt (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Tabaran (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Pulled hard in rear, headway before 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Isle de Maurice (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f sell hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Matinee Idol 66-1 (9-12) Keen, close up, led 3rd, headed soon 4th, ridden and weakened next, last of 6, 50l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-10) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Calzaghe (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and beaten soon after, 7th of 11, 22l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Don't Rush It (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost touch after 4 out, behind when pulled before 2 out, in a race won by Borrowaddy (11-11) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Apr, 15 ran.
