chased leaders, ridden and one pace from 4 out
tracked leaders, took closer order 7th, led next, ridden 3 out, stayed on
with leader until quickly pulled up before 6th
held up when unseated rider 3rd
tracked leaders, chased winner from 11th, kept on same pace from 3 out
led to 8th, lost place approaching 11th, pulled up before 12th
held up, in 4th and outpaced when blended 5 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, pushed along after 7th, hit 9th, jumped right and weakened from 10th
Eight run here in this handicap, four of whom are distance winners and it one of those, APOCALOZZO who gets the verdict here ahead of Divex and Mistral De La Cour both of whom have also won over distance in the past. Tim Vaughn's Apocalozzo was a winner over distance at Southwell last time. He has been progressing steadily so far this year and looks to have returned to his form of this time last year, when he won back to back handicaps. He looks capable of much more and a repeat of his last outing should see him ahead at the post. Divex makes a return to the turf after a four month absence. He had hit some decent form back then and was a winner over distance in mid-December. He has run well fresh in the past and the going here today should suit and he should prove to be the selections biggest threat. Mistral De La Cour is another gelding who has been progressing this year. He put in his best performance for some time at Hexham last month and a repeat effort should see him thereabouts at the post. Deuteronomy stands out from the rest. He was a winner over distance this time last year. His form since then has been rather inconsistent but the eight-year-old does have it in him and a good run could see him there or thereabouts at the finish. A market check is needed for the remainder as good recent form is rare. Our selection here goes to Aplocalozzo.
Divex (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 13, 12l behind Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Palmers Peak (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 4th, headed 7th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 39l behind Team Chaser (10-12) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Apocalozzo (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Always prominent, led 8th, clear approaching 3 out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Lawaaheb (11-12) by 7l, 14 ran.
Pen Gwen (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Led to 4th, lost place 8th, soon tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Open de L'Isle (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Deuteronomy (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Led, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 27l behind Lago (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Linlithgow Lad 40-1 (10-11) Led, headed 9th, behind when blundered 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Cash Man (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 5f beg chase (4) gs in Mar, 7 ran.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 13-2 (10-1) In touch, challenged approaching 3 out, driven and outpaced between last 2, lost 2nd last, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Neidpath Castle (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Stoneriggs Silver 40-1 (10-4) Mid-division, well behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Polar Gale (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf, 14 ran.
