held up, reminders 7th, ridden 14th, soon held, finished lame
held up tracking leaders, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened 4 out
led, clear 5th, ridden 11th, headed next and fell
tracked leader, led 12th, ridden 3 out, headed last, no extra
held up, headway 9th, ridden from 3 out, stayed on to lead last, kept on
tracked leaders, lost place 11th, hampered 13th, plugged on
in rear, pulled up after 11th
mistake and unseated rider 1st
towards rear, mistake 6th, headway from 10th, chased leader 13th, weakened 3 out
Not an easy race to sort out but a chance is taken with NATION STATE ahead of Massini Sunset, Ice Bucket and Lord Alfred amongst others. Massini Sunset comes into the race on the back of a win but has only ever won on ground with cut in it and could find conditions on the fast side; Triggernometry, Manly Money and Lester Leaps In all have something to commend them if you dig deep enough and all three may improve for the fitting of various applications for the first time but aren't reliable propositions. Corrib Drift and Liberty Ben pulled up last time so there are negatives there whilst Free Gift has looked a shadow of his former self. Lord Alfred has gone well fresh in the past and is from a yard going well so has to be of interest whilst Desert Secrets should appreciate these conditions and Ice Bucket ran one of his better races last time. They're all considered but we'll take a chance with Nation State despite the fact that he's shown little on his three starts this term. He's been given a break and a chance by the handicapper as he now races from a mark that's 4lbs lower than the one from which he won at Cheltenham last April. He does have a fair bit to prove but so do the majority of this field and we'll be hoping that Nation State is the one to emerge on top.
Nation State 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 8, 37l behind Pretty Star (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Liberty Ben (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden 12th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fresh Air And Fun (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Lester Leaps In (USA) 25-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden and struggling 5th, soon well behind, 7th of 9, 26l behind Figurita (10-9) at Sandown 2m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Blundered badly 1st, soon tracking leaders, chased winner 12th, challenged and every chance 3 out, jumped right 2 out, kept on, no real impression flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Le Burf (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Free Gift 12-1 (10-11) Prominent, lost place 6th, struggling when hampered 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Prominent, hit 10th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, left clear last, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs beating Nemetan (11-4) by 9l, 5 ran.
Manly Money 6-1 (10-13) In touch until lost place 4th, reminders after 10th, soon lost touch and pulled up 4 out in race won by Cava Bien (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 9 ran.
Corrib Drift (USA) 8-1 (11-12) Held up last, headway 7th, weakened 10th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Fieldsofclover (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in May '07, 10 ran.
Triggernometry 9-4fav (11-6) Chased leader, ridden 11th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 22l behind I'moncloudnine (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Lord Alfred (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Made most until 15th, ridden 4 out, soon led again, headed, hit 3 out, not fluent, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Keepitsecret (11-2) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
