led to 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 3rd before last, every chance run-in, just held post
in rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous
held up behind, headway 10th to chase leaders, led 2 out, headed last 100 yards, no extra
held up in touch, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders in 3rd, led narrowly last 100 yards, soon hard pressed, just held on post
held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out
`tracked leader, blundered 5th, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 5 out
The handicapper refuses to relent with POKER SCHOOL (NAP) who remains 7lb higher than when landing his most recent success at Kempton last Boxing Day. However, he may prove better suited to conceding weight to opponents rather than contesting ultra-competitive handicaps and is taken to regain the winning thread for his in-form yard. This a far more straightforward task than the one faced last time when a good fourth to Foxtail Hill in a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham. Wolf Sword appeals as the main danger as he'll have almost certainly needed his reappearance run as that has been the case with the majority of the yard's runners this term. He's best at this trip. Indian Temple and Get On The Yager complete the shortlist.
Indian Temple (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Led, joined 10th, headed 4 out, outpaced before next, no chance with front pair before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Mountain King (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Poker School (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure before next, 4th and ridden between last 2, kept on, no chance with leaders, 4th of 15, 18 1/4l behind Foxtail Hill (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Get On The Yager 5-2fav (11-8) In touch, tracked leader from 3rd, lost place 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Sir Ivan (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Cusheen Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place and behind 6th, headway and in touch briefly after 9th, lost touch next, pulled up before 11th, at Southwell 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
Twenty Eight Guns 9-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced after 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Wolf Sword (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Prominent, headway 8th, every chance 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Archive (11-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Rathlin 11-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th place, tracked leading pair 3rd until pushed along before 4 out, weakened before next, last of 4, 16 3/4l behind Pistol Park (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
New Kid In Town (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent in chasing group, distant 2nd after 6th, closer order but 4th approaching straight, no extra from 2 out, 11th of 16, 34 1/2l behind Granny Biddy (10-12) at Cork 2m 3f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
