held up in touch, close 3rd and going well when fell 5 out
held up, headway to track leaders 6th, pushed along 11th, outpaced when fell 6 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 11th, out paced next, left remote 3rd 5 out, no impression
held up in rear, outpaced 10th, left remote 4th 5 out, no impression
tracked leader, led 11th, ridden when blundered 3 out, stayed on gamely from next
tracked leaders,mistake 3rd, led 4th, headed 11th, effort and chance 3 out, one pace under pressure
held up towards rear, pushed along 10th, soon outpaced, left remote 5th 5 out, no impression
led to 4th, pushed along and dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
Although Skippers Cleuch is the potential spoiler for the top two on the racecard, he may need a little more time before he can be a serious fancy against more experienced rivals so this may be best left to old rivals Truckers Tavern and Hussard Collonges to scrap it out again here. And, after a cracking effort in defeat at Haydock a fortnight ago, Trucker's tavern is taken to confirm the form with his Peter Beaumont-trained rival. The Ferdy Murphy-trained selection had numerous options open to him over the Festive period so it has to taken as being a sign of confidence that he heads to Wetherby instead of Leopardstown of Kempton. Trucker's Tavern also has the benefit of a couple of runs under his belt this time and will a tough customer to deal with despite being set to concede in excess of 8lb to all bar one of his rivals. Of the remainder: cases can be made for Gunner Welburn and A Piece Of Cake on the best of their form. Although they will need to perform out of all recognition to trouble the principles judging by their latest efforts. Jungle Jinks has some useful form to his name at this course and may go well for a long way, but like Hugo De Grez, he is likely to find that class will tell at the finish and Truckers Tavern is fancied to reveal the skill that is required.
