prominent, led 2nd, headed 3rd, chased leaders, led before 3 out, ridden before last, held on close home
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, every chance last, kept on and held close home
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 6 out, led 5 out, headed after 4 out, kept on from last
towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders halfway, led 6 out, blundered and headed 5 out, led after 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened run-in
tracked leader, pushed along and weakened from 2 out
led to 2nd, remained close up, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
always behind, weakened before 3 out
towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace from last
NonRunner
Final Fling came here last month in poor form but bounced back with a cracking effort to land a similar handicap though a 7lb rise makes this more difficult. Ben Arthur has mainly been racing over fences since landing a Ffos Las handicap over timber in February and looks to have a chance on a favourable mark while Asking Questions ran his best race to date on heavy going on that latter track so conditions will be in his favour. BALLYANTICS (NAP) had shown nothing in five starts before his last run at Taunton, all on good going over shorter. He did much better over today's trip on soft ground that day and has enough improvement in him to take this. Mad For Action has been well beaten in three starts over the minimum trip and makes his handicap debut over what should be a more favourable distance so is one to note in the market.
Final Fling (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, hit 6th, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, every chance from 2 out, led after last, hard ridden, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Tickanrun (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Ben Arthur (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, not fluent next, mistake and reminders 11th, not fluent 14th, pressing for 2nd from after 14th until mistake 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Cailleach Annie (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Asking Questions (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, dived at 3rd, pushed along before 5th, lost place before 3 out, well beaten next, plugged on flat, 6th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Colt Lightning (11-10) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Mad For Action (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 8th of 14, 35 1/2l behind Mahlervous (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Captain Black 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened from 4 out, 8th of 9, 29 1/4l behind Uncle Alastair (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Ballyantics (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, keen, led 4th, headed before 2 out, rallied last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Cheque En Blanc (11-1) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Ceegem (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon outpaced, plugged on and never dangerous, 6th of 12, 10l behind Trongate (11-2) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Olivia Joan 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, slow 3rd, soon lost place, not fluent 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Katara Bay 100-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, dist behind Black Op (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Sounds Of Italy (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Western Ryder (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
The Model County (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, lost place after 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
