made all, dived at 8th, not fluent 12th, over 3 lengths clear last, kept on well flat
held up in touch, effort to chase leading trio under pressure before 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off
jumped moderately, held up in touch, mistake 1st, blundered 7th and 9th, headway to chase winner 10th, weakened before 4 out, fell heavily 3 out
held up last, reminders after 5th, ridden 12th, rallied approaching 2 out, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, no impression on winner
chased winner, mistake 9th and lost 2nd, stayed handy, challenged 13th, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, headway to chase winner before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression when outpaced into 3rd final 100 yards
SOULARD looks the percentage call ahead of Free World and Fresh Air And Fun. This will be the most difficult assignment to date for Tom George's inmate but he seems to relish the trip and while he had to rely on the stewards to grant him victory in his previous race, his second at this course to Psychomodo, gives him a decent chance of a follow up. Free World is interestingly dropped in trip. Connections previously saw him as a three miler but with good ground presenting no issues, they have opted to take their chances today. Fresh Air And Fun is anything but. A notably quirky individual, he is tried in a first time tonguestrap. Were he to get into a rhythm, he has the residual ability in order to take a hand in the race. Fit To Drive is just 1lb higher than his previous course-and-distance success at the track. Misty Dancer is undoubtedly well handicapped on some of her older form but she has not sparkled on her visits to the racecourse this season. Not easy to rule out many of these and Soulard is the marginal preference.
Soulard (USA) 7-1 (11-5) Led, hard pressed 3 out, headed narrowly next, soon ridden, rallied flat, just held when not much room near finish (finished 2nd, awarded race), won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Busy Isit (11-6) by shd, 12 ran.
Fit To Drive 10-1 (11-6) Pressed leader, driven after 3 out, lost 2nd after next, 3 lengths down in 4th and one pace when hit last, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 17l behind Edgbriar (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Always behind, last of 16, well behind A New Story (9-7) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Ouste (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, pecked 1st, with leader, quickened to lead 3rd, clear to before 2 out, headed after last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Samurai Way (12-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Free World (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Held up, pushed along after 10th, headway approaching 12th, ridden 13th, weakened after 5 out, fell 2 out, in a race won by Mill Side (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Fresh Air And Fun (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Made most to 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Meanus Dandy (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Misty Dancer 7-1 (10-7) Raced on inside, in touch, driven after 11th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Busy Isit (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
