held up, headway after 10th, left in lead 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
chased leaders until 5th, in touch, headway when hampered 4 out, went 2nd after next, led approaching last, stayed on well
held up, took closer order 11th, went left next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up, blundered and unseated rider 5th
led, not fluent 9th, not fluent next and headed, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 9th, led next, travelling well when went right, unseated rider 4 out
chased leaders, hit 8th, ridden after 11th, weakened after 3 out
chased leader, ridden after 10th, one pace from 3 out
The confidence of Witness Run will have been done the power of good by his clear round here a fortnight ago and he is fancied to brush aside top weight in this company; Fast Forward is expected to be fitter after his seasonal debut and; along with Donovan, rates as a big danger to the selection. Donovan has plenty of experience and does win in his turn. However, he can never truly be relied upon to deliver the goods in a finish and is a risky option for win only purposes. Fast Forward makes his handicap debut off a feather weight and has to merit serious consideration on these terms. Watch the betting carefully where this Sir Robert Ogden-owned gelding is concerned. Even so, Witness Run shaped as if he is more the finished article when he chased home Charlton Kings here earlier in the month and, despite being on a 5lb higher mark, he has a solid chance of gaining compensation for that narrow miss if all goes to plan for him this afternoon.
Witness Run (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up, smooth headway after 7th, went 2nd 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Charlton Kings (11-8) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd.
Fast Forward (NZ) 11-4 (10-12) Prominent, chased leaders 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened and blundered last, 5th of 11, 24l behind Cruising River (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
L'Oiseau (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, held in 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by Jurado Express (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Corporate Player (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) In touch, joined leaders 4 out, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching 2 out, faded but just held on, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Sept '05 beating High Peak (9-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Baodai (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Always in the rear, 9th of 11, well behind Briery Fox (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Four Schools (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway 8th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Jarro (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Romany Dream 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon struggling, behind when hit 7th, 6th of 10, 24l behind Jarro (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Donovan (NZ) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Flash Cummins (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
