tracked winner, led 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace when hit last
held up, driven 7th, ridden 4 out, plugged on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, ridden 4 out, weakened next
held up, ridden 5 out, weakened and tailed off on 3 out
held up rear and not jumped well, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, weakened 2 out, jumped badly right last
Montevideo is the pick over Waynesworld, Sexy Rexy and Double Dizzy, with Duncliffe and Supreme Copper also worth a mention. There are quite a few in with chances here, and only a narrow vote goes to Montevideo who has not always impressed in a finish, but who has the required stamina to come out on top here. Beaten a length by Double Dizzy over slightly shorter at Exeter last time, he meets that rival on 6lb better terms, and with Mick Fitzgerald in the saddle, he should turn the tables on Bob Buckler's charge at least. Waynesworld has struggled off his current chase mark so may fare better back over timber, while Sexy Rexy is inexperienced over hurdles but is worth a try over this longer distance judged by the way that he stayed on at Towcester last time. Useful chaser Duncliffe has not been seen since finishing unplaced at Sandown in January, and has only raced over hurdles once during his career. Granted he is much better treated over timber than over fences, but he is best watched on his return. Supreme Copper shaped really well on his recent return at Wincanton, finishing third after travelling well throughout, and he too may benefit from today's trip. He is one to watch out for when put into handicaps, but on this occasion we return to Montevideo as the answer.
Double Dizzy 13-8fav (11-1) In touch, led 3rd, headed 8th, ridden to lead 3 out, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf beating Montevideo (11-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Montevideo 9-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Double Dizzy (11-1) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf.
Waynesworld (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd and 11th, soon pushed along, left 2nd 14th, hit next, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Cowboyboots (11-5) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Duncliffe 12-1 (11-8) Led to 3rd, chased leader to 6th, weakened and behind after 8th, 11th of 12, 50l behind Dempsey (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Rapallo (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened 7th, 5th of 10, 17l behind Mossville (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Silver Serg 50-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened 8th, soon well behind, 8th of 13, well behind Toemac (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Supreme Copper (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, good headway after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden after last, ran on to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Mossville (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Air Force One (GER) (10-1) In the lead when fell in race won by Hatari (10-6) at Munich 2m hdl sft in Nov '05, 6 ran.
Sexy Rexy (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, blundered last, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 5l behind My Immortal (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Tickers Way 9-1 (10-8) Made virtually all, clear when ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Jun '05 beating Bluecoat (11-1) by 4l, 15 ran.
