tracked leaders, led 6th, headed approaching 12th, weakened 15th, pulled up before next
held up, driven along 13th, jumped slowly 14th and 15th, soon well behind
keen, led 2nd, headed next, led again 12th, headed approaching 16th, ridden next, led 4 out, in command approaching last
held up, mistake 9th, headway after 15th, to track leaders, close up when blundere 17th, kept on one pace
led, headed next, led again 3rd, headed 6th, driven along 13th, ridden to lead 16th, headed 4 out, switched left to challenge approaching last, no impression
The shortlist here consists of Auburn Spirit, Merchants Friend and Levallois, with the vote going to Auburn Spirit. Merchants Friend won well at Haydock in December and, much as he races from a ten-pound higher mark here and could well prove vulnerable off topweight, he should go well. Present Bleu has been racing in France but seems to have something to prove now he turns to fencing in this country, and the handicapper seems to have taken exception to Levallois' two good efforts behind Brave Spirit. Judged on his most-recent run, that seems to be the case, but, with his resolve not in question, he is still worthy of respect. However, we prefer Auburn Spirit, who stays well and is just four pounds above the mark from which he won at Huntingdon and, despite subsequent runs not matching that, in this small field he can go well. Spanish Main's profile is not dissimilar, but he has not raced for 673 days. With The Lyme Volunteer racing from a long way out of the weights, we turn again to the selection, which is Auburn Spirit.
Present Bleu (FR) 6th of 12, more than 8l behind Dauphin Des Carres at Cagnes-Sur-mer 2m 2f clm chs sft in Dec.
Levallois (IRE) 10-1 Mid-division, some headway 9th, weakened after next, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Kausse de Thaix at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.
Auburn Spirit 7-1 Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, hampered 16th, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 10, 20l behind Harlov at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs.
Spanish Main (IRE) 13-2 In touch, lost place 12th, soon outpaced, never dangerous after, 5th of 16, 32l behind Rockcliffe Gossip at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Apr '03.
The Lyme Volunteer (IRE) 8-1 Led to 4th, close up in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider at the 16th in race won by Harlov at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs, 10 ran.
Merchants Friend (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leader, led 4th, soon clear, headed after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 13th of 14, well behind Chamoss Royale at Kempton 3m hcp hdl (B) gd in Jan.
