raced in 3rd, led 9th, in command when left well clear 2 out, eased towards finish
tracked leader, chased winner 9th, mistake 4 out, blundered and lost 2nd next, left moderate 2nd 2 out
raced in 4th, hit 5th and lost touch, struggling 8, continued tailed off
led, blundered 8th, mistake and headed 9th, stayed in 3rd, went 2nd soon after 3 out, 4 lengths 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
Acambo can land this prize at the main expense of Self Respect and Victorias Groom. The selection has got some patchy form but there is little doubt that if he runs up to his best he will be hard to beat. He has won well here in the past and with the trip and ground to suit he should be difficult to pass. Self Respect looks as though he could be quite useful over hurdles on the evidence of his win last time. He looks to be going the right way but this is his toughest assignment to date and he is not as proven as our selection. Victorias Groom has got some decent form over hurdles but he has already shown that his future may be over the bigger obstacles and he will probably need this run after being off the track for almost a year. Sole Agent appears to be making up the numbers, and we will return to Acamabo who can get back to winning ways.
Acambo (GER) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden and headway 4 out, one pace from next, 6th of 22, 6l behind Two Miles West (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Self Respect (USA) 1-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating That Man Fox (11-0) by 11l, 8 ran.
Sole Agent (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Not fluent in rear, always behind, 5th of 6, 39l behind Pepporoni Pete (11-1) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gd.
Victorias Groom (GER) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leading pair, disputing close 2nd when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Fair Along (11-3) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 4 ran.
