in touch, pressed leader from 5th, led approaching 4 out, driven clear when went right last, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, kept on same pace, never on terms, weakened before last
chased leaders on outside, effort 4 out, ridden and one pace after next, no impression in 3rd when fell last
made most to before 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out
held up behind, headway 6th, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression with winner before last
in rear, struggling 8th, headway under pressure 3 out, left 3rd at last, no impression with front pair
chased leaders to 4th, towards rear, struggling 6th, behind 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th after last
disputed lead to 5th, soon pushed along, lost place before 4 out, weakened from next
Unzing went up 5lb for scoring at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and didn't appear to appreciate a longer trip on a return visit. The veteran LIGHTENING ROD loves it around here and though he hasn't won since completing a double over hurdles on the track over two years ago he ran very well in a better class handicap at Catterick last time and can return to winning ways. Another veteran, Chestnut Ben, was having his 60th start when gaining his tenth victory at Sedgefield though strangely he's never run on this course in his long career. Oscatara beat just two rivals for his only success over fences but Plaisir D'amour, four times a winner in France, is surely better than she showed on her debut for Venetia Williams at Uttoxeter where she weakened quickly over the extended 2m6f trip.
Plaisir D'Amour (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked winner to before 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Oscatara (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Discoverie (11-11) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Unzing (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear but in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Highbury High (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Grey Life 66-1 (11-8) Mid-division, mistake 7th, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 10th of 15, dist behind Lady Buttons (12-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Lightening Rod 4-1 (10-13) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway after 4 out, outpaced after next, stayed on flat, went 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Herons Heir (11-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Witness (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, mistake 7th, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, slow 4th, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb beating Duhallowcountry (10-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Groomed (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) With leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 7th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
