tracked leaders on outer, lost place when jumped right 4th and next, behind when weakened from 8th
with leader, chased winner from 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
tracked leaders, reminders approaching 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, ran on well
behind, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hit next, no impression after
held up in rear, hit 6th, headway after 4 out, one pace and no impression from 2 out
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Habitual Dancer,Tynedale and Inching Closer and the nomination is given to Tynedale. The selection was a fair third behind Euro American last time. That horse has since ran well in a much more competitive affair and off trhe same mark here Tynedale looks the one to be on. Habitual Dancer rates the main danger as she was a gutsy winner last time out when beating Carapuce. This longer trip should suit but she looks vulnerable off this higher mark. Inching Closer has dropped to a handy mark but he has looked a shadow of his former self of late so can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder Huka Lodge won well last time out and if he is in the same mood he will not be far away but that is a big if. Predicament is unexposed and is another with place claims but in a race where plenty can be given chances for the winner we return to Tynedale.
Inching Closer 5-2 (11-12) Held up, tracked leaders 5th, ridden 7th, soon weakened, last of 7, 34l behind Habitual Dancer (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Habitual Dancer 11-2 (10-7) Led, headed 8th, pushed along and outpaced next, hard ridden approaching last, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Carapuce (10-10) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Tynedale (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Prominent, pushed along and outpaced approaching 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Euro American (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led 1st to 3rd, led again after 9th, ridden clear when mistake 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Vicars Destiny (10-7) by 7l, 17 ran.
Albany (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, took close order 5th, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 10th of 12, 49l behind Town Crier (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Totally Scottish 10-1 (10-4) Held up, headed 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure flat, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Russian Sky (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Dec.
Vicars Destiny 12-1 (10-7) Held up, hampered after 2nd, ridden after 9th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Predicament 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, hung left flat, not quicken, 4th of 11, 6l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
