chased leader, led 4th, went clear 2 out, shaken up last, pushed out
led to mistake and headed 4th, weakened 6th, pulled up after 7th
in touch, ridden and went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after
prominent, chased leader 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on to go 3rd flat
held up, never on terms, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, weakened after 5th, pulled up before 3 out
THE GOSSMOOR YANK is no 'good thing' however he may be good enough to see off this motley-looking crew. Paul Nicholls' gelding is officially rated 131, some way clear of his rivals who have qualified for a mark. Whilst that may flatter him slightly, there is no doubt that the horse who beat him last time is a smart individual and with the first two well clear, the form looks solid enough. The horse to follow him home could be the returning Rodney's Pillar. He was last seen finishing fourth in just an average Uttoxeter bumper back in May 2007, however he represents strong connections and if he handles this different ground then he could get some place money. Local Present and Freddy's Star have both shown a similar level of ability. A repeat of their form so far would not be enough, but it is interesting that Timmy Murphy is back on Local Present having ridden him to second place in a Fontwell bumper back in October. None of the newcomers make much appeal really so it is fairly simple to return to The Gossmoor Yank as the obvious candidate for first prize.
The Gossmoor Yank (IRE) 6-5fav (11-11) Tracked winner from 5th, ridden and stumbled 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Little Josh (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
El Ricardo 33-1 (12-0) Bhnd til fell in race won by Lord Shark (11-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd, 16 ran.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, raced keenly, led 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when mistake 2 out, 7th of 11, 23l behind Forty Five (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Local Present (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) In touch until weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Mad Max (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Makin A Fuss 100-1 (10-12) 10th of 15, 35l behind Hey Big Spender (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Our No Fear (NZ) Spectrum gelding out of Show No Fear.
Rodney's Pillar 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway to chase leader 6f out, weakend 2f out, 4th of 15, 13l behind Dave's Dream (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in May '07.
Secret Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Higgy's Boy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Mellifluous (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 17l behind Rampant Ronnie (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
