in touch, joined leader 15th, ridden, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden, lost touch 13th, behind from 16th
held up, lost touch 12th, tailed off 14th
chased leader, blundered badly 16th, soon pulled up
mid-division, reminder 4th, not fleunt 13th, ridden, lost place 17th, stayed on to chase leaders approaching 3 out, hard ridden, ran on flat, led close home
in touch, ridden, lost place 17th, rallied 4 out, led approaching 3 out, hard ridden flat, headed close home
led, ridden 16th, headed 4 out, 1 length 3rd when fell 3 out
mid-division, blundered 15th, weakened 17th, pulled up before 3 out
held up last, mistake 11th, lost touch 12th, rallied from 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on
chased leader, ridden after 13th, weakened 16th
ALCATRAS is the selection in this staying chase with Joe Deane and Ede'iff others on the shortlist. The selection shaped well for a long way at Taunton before weakening close home over the extended trip of 3m3f. There is a suspicion that the race may have come a little too soon after a similar event nine days earlier and with a longer gap between his races, we will hope for better today. Joe Deane is unproven on fast ground. He still clearly maintains a modicum of ability in spite of his advancing years. Ede'iff confirmed herself as capable of winning away from her regular haunt of Ludlow when successful at Newton Abbot. There are no issues with a step back up in trip. Wednesday Country made a winning return after sizeable absence. A winner at sharp tracks, if able to translate the form to this more galloping venue, there are obvious claims. Course-and-distance victor, Classic Clover, is an infrequent winner though did finish ahead of our selection when they last met. Hold up performer, Dennis The Legend has a bit to find on recent performances. Serve Notice was never sighted in a recent event at Limerick. Alcatras gets the nod.
Ede'iff 10-1 (10-3) In touch, took closer order 10th, ridden after 3 out, led next, kept on gamely, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar beating Oh Braga (11-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Wednesday Country (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Held up, steady progress from 13th, ridden to challenge 3 out, led next, all out, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Feb beating Power King (10-13) by hd, 10 ran.
Joe Deane (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, behind 7th, steady headway from 11th, stayed on from 3 out, challenged 2 out, led near finish, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov beating Wizard of Edge (11-7) by hd, 12 ran.
Maree Hall (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) With leader until 10th, ridden after 11th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 48l behind Ede'iff (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Dennis The Legend 11-2 (10-4) Held up, struggling 9th, headway approaching 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, soon hung left, hit last, no extra, 4th of 8, 16l behind Ede'iff (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Alcatras (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, lost place 11th, soon ridden, pecked 3 out, one pace, 5th of 6, 19l behind Fourpointone (11-8) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm in Mar.
Classic Clover 13-2 (11-8) Chased leader, ridden and lost place 4 out, plugging on from 3 out when hit last, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Fourpointone (11-8) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm in Mar.
And Your Point Is (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Nearby (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Lavenoak Lad 16-1 (12-0) Hdwy 9; wknd 15; pu 2 out, in a race won by Mcsolo (12-3) at Cothelstone 3m ptp in Mar, 15 ran.
Orion Star (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, not jumped well, lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up 14th, in a race won by Extra Bold (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
Serve Notice (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, last of 12, well behind Brandam (10-2) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
