held up, not jump well, ridden 15th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, close up 9th, led after 12th, ridden and idled from 3 out, challenged 2 out, kept on
in rear, jumped slowly 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
tracked leader, lost place 12th, took poor 3rd again 3 out, mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed after 9th, ridden 4 out, rallied and every chance 2 out, no extra last
led, mistake 1st, headed 4th, hit 5th and 11th, reminders 12th, blundered badly 14th, held approaching 5 out
ST MELLION FREEWAY may be able to take this on debut for his new yard with Rebel Melody and Present Glory considered dangers. Tim Vaughan has made quite a name for himself in a short time and he has done particularly well with horses that he has taken on from other yards. In fairness, St Mellion Freeway won two of his six starts for his previous connections and has already promised to make up into a useful chaser and he looks well enough handicapped to believe that he can make a winning start. Present Glory was entitled to need his reappearance after an absence and he faces a far more realistic task here. He represents a combination that have done well in recent weeks and it would be no surprise to see him show up well. Rebel Melody has obvious claims following his last time out win but he's gone up by 9lbs and faces far faster underfoot conditions so looks opposable. Hermano Cordobes is frustrating and Classic Clover unpredictable and Terrible Tenant handicapped up to his best but it would be folly to dismiss the three of them out of hand which we won't do but we will stick with St Mellion Freeway.
St Mellion Freeway (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) In touch, mistake 2nd and fell at the 3rd in race won by My Turn Now (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept, 8 ran.
Present Glory (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Bumped 1st, chased leaders, slow jump 8th, ridden and struggling 13th, driven and rallied under pressure from 2 out, went poor 4th flat, 4th of 8, 29l behind Massini's Maguire (11-1) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov.
Maori Legend 11-2 (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, pushed along 10th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Phardessa (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Kilcrea Asla (11-1) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Terrible Tenant 8-1 (11-2) Led, ridden, headed and jumped right 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind I'moncloudnine (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Classic Clover 10-1 (11-1) Led to 13th, blundered 15th, soon no chance, slogged on in distant 3rd, 3rd of 9, well behind Rebel Melody (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) In touch, led 13th, shaken up after 2 out, pushed out flat, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Kilty Storm (11-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Led, headed 10th, stayed challenging, chased winner from 3 out, one pace from next, no impression, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Busy Isit (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
