tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway 4th to track leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakening when jumped left at 2 out and again last
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden and hung left from next, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, in 4th when blundered last, ran on well towards finish
led until blundered 1st, tracked leader, led again after 4th, ridden after 4 out, kept on well from last
towards rear, weakened after 4 out
The Names Bond has more to do off a 7lb higher mark than when scoring at Newcastle last month but the Nicky Richards-trained gelding is in much better form than his rivals and he gets the vote to win again ahead of Merryvale Man and Hollywood Critic. The last mentioned was probably flattered by his proximity to the useful Percussionist at Carlisle last time and would not appear to be particularly well treated on his debut in this grade, while Millennium Hall also has a line of form with Percussionist that suggests that he has plenty to do. Mr Midaz has a long absence to overcome, while Timbuktu has been well held in two starts in handicaps of late and looks to have plenty of weight for what he has achieved. Merryvale Man has been gradually slipping down the weights and was in the process of running a better race before falling last time but The Names Bond has an obvious chance on recent evidence and he gets the vote.
The Names Bond 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led going well 2 out, ran on when challenged run-in, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec beating Uptown Lad (11-2) by a nk, 10 ran.
Hollywood Critic (USA) 16-1 (10-2) Held up, headway to go prominent 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Percussionist (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Millennium Hall 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, carried left after last, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Percussionist (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Mr Midaz 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 49l behind Ever Present (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Apr.
Merryvale Man 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and 5 lengths down when fell at the last in race won by Torkinking (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Maradan (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Silvertown (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Mar '03, 13 ran.
Timbuktu 25-1 (11-2) Led, headed 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 42l behind Eborarry (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) hvy in Dec.
