held up in 4th, chased winner approaching 3 out, hard ridden after 2 out, led flat, headed near finish
led, not fluent 2 out and soon ridden, hit last, soon narrowly headed, edged left and stayed on under strong pressure to regain lead near finish
held up in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to chase leading pair when not fluent 3 out, weakened flat, lost 3rd last strides
chased winner to 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd. headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner 6th until approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, outpaced approaching 3 out, staying on when mistake last, took 3rd last strides
Nonrunner
NOVIKOV can defy weight all around to take the scalps of Karky Schultz and Sweet World. All credit has to go to David Evans for making a man of this former selling plater. The useful Kyle James will take 7lbs off this afternoon and were he able to reproduce his Kempton success; he would be a very tough nut to crack. Karky Schultz has ability though has not delivered as often as he has promised. He appears to act on soft ground and will doubtless finish close up again. Sweet World gets on well with his amateur pilot. He may have found the going against him at Ffos Las and will find today's deeper ground much more to his liking. Stratford Stroller was disappointing last time out and may be best watched this afternoon. Long Distance has joined Lucinda Russell having left James Fanshawe. The Russell team are in good form at present so the market has to be closely monitored. Dot's Delight drops back to two miles having failed to fire over 2m4f at Taunton. She had won two races previously in November though it remains to be seen as to whether she can defy this handicap mark. A trappy race but with Novikov in such decent nick, that proven recent form acquires more value and we are prepared to row in again.
Novikov 4-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 6th, chased leading pair 3 out, chased winner 2 out until no impression before last, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Qozak (11-10) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Karky Schultz (GER) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leader, led after 2nd, ridden and narrowly headed well before last, tried to rally as winner hit last, found no extra and held final 110 yards, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Chaninbar (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Dot's Delight 8-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside before 2 out, kept on but never in challenging position, 5th of 14, 18l behind Asturienne (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Sweet World 4-1 (10-13) Held up, smooth headway to 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, headed soon after, chased winner to before last, weakened and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 10, 7l behind Aather (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Long Distance (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Held disputing 4th off the pace, not fluent 2nd, closed after 4th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 14, 27l behind Bedizen (11-5) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Alderley Rover (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, effort when not fluent 3 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 23l behind Calusa Crystal (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Genari 4-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, ridden approaching last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Novikov (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) sft in Dec.
Nomadic Warrior 33-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 3rd, led again 5th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, well behind Natural Action (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Stratford Stroller (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 29l behind Iconoclast (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
