mid-division, not fluent and stumbled 2nd, weakened 8th, tailed off
prominent, led after 7th until next, chased winner and hung right approaching 2 out, 3rd and beaten last
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 8th, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, challenged 7th until after next, ridden 3 out, weakened last
mid-division on outside, not fluent 3rd, headway 6th, jumped slowly next, weakened after 3 out
pulled hard, soon in mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway before next, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway on inside approaching 7th, led next, ran on well flat, readily
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader until after 7th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, no impression
led until ridden after 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
several slow jumps in rear, lost touch approaching 7th, soon tailed off, pulled up after
PLINY is the pick in the opener with Play On Words and Scampi Boy on the shortlist. Venetia Williams has landed a couple of gambles in the last couple of weeks and the market is watched accordingly. On the racecourse, Pliny stayed on stoutly to finish third over 2m4f at Leicester so should be able to get the trip around here. Play On Words is a son of the very useful hurdler, Snow Drop. He hasn't shown a great deal as yet though could be open to a bit more in the way of improvement. Scampi Boy looks like he will be better suited by this drop in trip. Paul Webber's runners are in fair nick at present. Marwan took on some decent types in bumpers and with a rating of 100, he will be the benchmark figure for the assessor to work from. Silver Blondin did not disgrace herself in a Ludlow event though we think that we might see better from him over chase fences in time. Lady Sorcerer was poor on the flat though has shown glimmers of ability at this discipline and is one to note at slightly longer odds. Round The Horn makes a return from an absence of two years. Pliny is the pick where the market will probably give us the best idea as to what to expect.
Limestone Boy (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) Held up, mistake 9th, struggling from next, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Super Nick (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '08.
Marwan (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, reminder after 4th, pushed along before next, soon lost place, 10th of 15, well behind Dan Breen (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Play On Words (FR) 4-1 (10-12) With leader, led and hung badly left 3 out, ridden and headed after next, 5 lengths down in 3rd and no impression when fell last, in a race won by Horsford (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Pliny (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Pressed leader to after 3rd, remained handy, mistake 7th, ridden when hampered 3 out, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Little George (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Round The Horn (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Stumbled on bend after 2nd, always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Qrackers (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar '08, 12 ran.
Royaume Bleu (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Tracked ldr in 2nd until disp from 9th, wknd 4out & mod 4th 3out, lft 3rd 3out, no dngr, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Boston Bob (12-0) at Tallow 3m ire ptp sft in Feb.
Scampi Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Hidden Keel (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Silver Blondin 11-1 (11-4) Chased leader, every chance after 8th, no impression on winner before last, no extra when lost 2nd flat, 4th of 16, 5l behind Benartic (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Silver Footnote 13-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led briefly on outside approaching 3f out, chased winner after, no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Kaybeew (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (5) hvy in Nov.
The Red Laird 20-1 (10-7) Chased leader until after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Watamu Bay (11-4) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Shaakier 16-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 28l behind Risaala (10-7) at Towcester 1m 5f NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Rocalixjide (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, kept on one pace final 2f, 7th of 15, 44l behind Dare Me (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Lady Sorcerer 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, effort approaching next, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 32l behind Misstree Dancer (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
