led to 4th, with leader, lost place approaching 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, stumbled 8th, driven 5 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
close up, led 4th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last
held up in touch, hit 7th, effort to chase leader briefly approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, driven and outpaced when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, mistake next, kept on same pace, no impression
held up in touch, headway 4 out, led next, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well
It's Bertie deserves to get his head in front having found one too good in each of his last three starts but another 4lb rise for the latest of those efforts leaves Sue Smith's gelding with a tougher assignment today and marginal preference is for EBORARRY, who gets the vote ahead of Hollows Mill. The 13-year-old ran better at Carlisle last time when chasing home Cooldine Lad and the 13-year-old has every chance on that evidence but a 4lb rise for that effort seems harsh so he may be booked for a place at best. Salhood has been well held in recent starts, while Glimmer of Light showed signs of a return to form at Towcester on Thursday but has not won for nearly two years so he may be best left out of calculations in a race taken to go to Eborarry. Tim Easterby's gelding did disappoint at Catterick last month but earlier form is solid and he looks worth another chance in this company.
Salhood 8-1 (11-5) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 36l behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Hollows Mill 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5 out, led 2 out, hard driven, headed near line, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Cooldine Lad (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.
Eborarry (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Behind, pushed along 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Player (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
It's Bertie 10-3fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, driven and stayed on to lead narrowly last, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Thatlldoforme (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Naval Attache 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, outpaced 9th, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 12, 34l behind Thatlldoforme (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, switched left and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, took 3rd post, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Lescer's Lad (10-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy.
Make A Mark (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Player (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
