held up, mistake 2nd, ridden and headway when mistake 13th, not much room 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, lost place 13th, rallied, one pace flat
always behind, tailed off 13th
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, rallied approaching 2 out, 5th when dismounted and pulled up before last
mid-division, headway 12th, mistake next, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 12th to 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened flat
always behind
led to 12th, led again 13th, ridden approaching last, headed last strides
tracked leaders, ridden and hit 2 out, weakening when mistake last
behind, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, never reached leaders
mid-division, headway 14th, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on to lead last strides
Rockcliffe Gossip won this race last year and, with his stable in such good form, can win again. The main dangers might prove to be Strong Trooper, Keen To The Last and Sir Cumference. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained selection won this race from a mark of 99 in 2002, runs well fresh, and, while he is now rated 107, his excellent rider - who partnered him to victory last year also - takes five pounds off his back. The stable also runs Pettree, but we reckon that, despite the fact that Carl Llewellyn is on board, you shouldn't necessarily read too much into that. Waterberg comes here in good heart although he is 8lbs higher in the ratings since his most-recent success. Strong Trooper, now recovered from a pelvic injury, won well at Market Rasen in June and, although he unseated rider next time, could conceivably be well handicapped. Sue Smith's Keen To The Last, Venetia Williams' Misty Future and Henrietta Knight's Sir Cumference are others to consider, and Commanche Hero's Huntingdon win last month looks better now following the runner Around Before's easy success over hurdles at that same track on Friday. Overall, though, in what is a very good contest, Rockcliffe Gossip might just be able to follow up.
