held up behind, ridden and weakened after 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led to 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, jumped slow 1st, headway 4 out, ridden and hit next, weakened after last
chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
in touch, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up
held up in touch, smooth headway to go 2nd 4 out, led next, clear when it 2 out, easily
chased leader, reminders 5th, hit 2 out when weakening
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased winner after last, no impression
towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden next, one pace from 2 out
Definitely a race where a watching brief is advised, but with our need to offer a selection we will take Herakles to be good enough first up, with Mr Lewin, New Alco and Network Oscar other who have potential. The selection comes from a yard that does well in this type of event, and can assume that this German flat winner has a bit of class about him, given his connections. He has proved he handles cut and that he stays 12 furlongs on the flat, and he probably won't need to be special to score. Mr Lewin has not shown a huge amount in three outings, but Ginger McCain can certainly improve them, and any runner he has at this track always merits respect. Network Oscar showed enough last time to suggest he can be involved at the business end, while New Alco is one of a number of promising recruits at Ferdy Murphy's West Witton yard, and he makes his British debut, with the promise that he too will improve. Plenty to speculate on then, and our suggestion here is Herakles.
Daggy Boy (NZ) 66-1 (10-11) Always behind, 8th of 15, well behind Good Samaritan (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs.
Dictator (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until pulled up 5 out in race won by Crow Wood (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gd, 16 ran.
Galadhrim (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, weakened from 6f out, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Bewleys Berry (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 2f nhf gs in Apr '04.
Herakles (GER) (9-4) won at Cologne 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct '04 beating Stargate (9-9) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran (Flat).
Mr Lewin 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, outpaced by leaders approaching last, 4th of 14, 9l behind Ma Yahab (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Neophyte (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inside 5f out to join leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 5th of 15, 14l behind Woodlands Genpower (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jun '03.
Network Oscar (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, pushed along over 7f out, soon reminders, headway 6f out, kept on final 2f, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Don't Push It (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Sept.
New Alco (FR) (10-3) behind Neige De Sormain (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 1f chs sft in May, 14 ran.
Starbright 50-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, headed last, no extra flat, 5th of 12, 8l behind Good Investment (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
Strident (USA) 25-1 (9-9) Chased leader in 2nd, lost place halfway, no extra from 3f out, last of 7, 20l behind Masafi (10-0) at Down Royal 1m 5f stk frm in Sept (Flat).
Showtime Annie 11-1 (8-1) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 19, 15l behind Mystical Ayr (8-3) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-60 (6) sft (Flat).
