chased leaders, ridden and switched left 2 out, not quicken flat
led, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and headed, every chance last, ran on
held up, 5th and no impression, blundered 8th, soon pulled up
chased leader, hit 4th, mistake 7th, ridden to lead after 3 out, driven out
pulled hard, always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
took keen hold, always towards rear
mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
took keen hold, mid-division, until weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
This race has historically produced some good winners and Nounou is the percentage call against Bally's Bro and Come Out Fighting. Nounou has a little more experience than most and he put it to good use when hacking up at Uttoxeter last time out. The going seems to bare little in the way of worry for him so it could be worth chancing him against less race fit rivals. Bally's Bro chased home Black Jack Ketchum on his latest start but that was over a year ago and Jonjo O'Neill's star clearly improved over the course of the year. It will be interesting to see how the market reacts if the handler saddles the winner of the opener. Yashin defied odds of 150/1 to hit the frame at Stratford. He stayed on well enough without threatening the market principles and could run into the places again. Come Out Firing is bred to appreciate further and it will be fascinating to see how the market reacts to the presence of AP McCoy. Kealshore Lad finished fifth to a useful type in a Haydock bumper so can be anticipated to improve further. Ocarito had form on soft ground on the level and the market is watched. Nounou gets the nod.
Nounou 10-3 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept beating Roaringwater (10-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Bally's Bro (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leader after 1st, left in lead briefly when badly hampered 8th, ridden after 3 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Black Jack Ketchum (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Oct '05.
Come Out Firing (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of Thegirlfromslane.
Kealshore Lad 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 20, 8l behind Bleak House (10-10) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Nectar De Guye (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Disputed 2nd, pushed along and dropped rear 8th, soon tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind City Music (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Ocarito (GER) (9-0) Prominent, one pace from 2f out, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Grantley (9-2) at Neuss 1m 1f stk std in Feb (Flat).
Quibble 10-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, not trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Mr Bigglesworth (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs in Apr '05.
Tom Tug (NZ) 80-1 (10-12) Jumped left, in touch to 4th, soon behind, 7th of 10, 32l behind Red Scally (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Yashin (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, blundered 5th, headway on inside 9th, no impression on leaders from 3 out, went 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 12, 22l behind Mumbles Head (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gf in Sept.
