led, not fluent 3rd, jumped right next, headed 6th, not fluent when hampered 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, hampered 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed after 2 out, unable to quicken towards finish
chased leaders, left in lead 3 out, headed before next and soon weakened
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway when hampered 3 out, challenged next, soon led, mistake last, driven out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, hampered 3 out, effort next, never dangerous
mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 1st or 6th, headway when slightly hampered 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, no extra last
mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, pushed along before 5th, struggling next, behind when hampered and unseated rider 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, slightly hampered 3 out, always behind
mid-division, headway on inside 6th, hampered 3 out, ridden and switched right after 2 out, chased winner flat, ran on
tracked leader, took keen hold, led 6th, fell 3 out
not fluent 2nd, in rear from next, tailed off
The Good Guy and Knight In Purple arrive here in rude health but we'll take them on with our selection DANCEWITHTHEDEVIL. Our selection ran really well behind Son Of Flicka over course and distance last time and a solitary one pound rise in the weights appears more than fair. Donal Devereux is a capable pilot and his 5lb claim helps, whilst the forecast better ground will be in this gelding's favour in what is probably a less competitive race, so he's a pretty confident pick. The Good Guy has been winning convincingly in plating class affairs of late but giving weight to these will be much tougher. That said he's got the winning habit and plenty will side with him in his bid to land the hat-trick. We're inclined to take him on though and Knight In Purple is indeed considered more of a threat to our pick. He's up 9lbs for a course and distance win but acts on the ground and gets on well with Andrew Tinkler who returns to ride. Alazan is relatively lightly raced and was beaten under eight lengths in a stronger race last time so is another to consider along with Alan King's Aohna who makes her handicap debut off what appears a fair mark. Haarth Sovereign looked good when winning two starts back but the form of that contest has been let down and he's likely to struggle once more in a race taken to go to Dancewiththedevil.
The Good Guy (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Made all, soon clear, not fluent 3 out, stayed on gamely, won at Stratford 2m 3f cnd/am sll hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Dontpaytheferryman (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner last, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Son Of Flicka (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) In touch, hampered and lost place bend before 6th, rallied to chase leaders 3 out, soon no further impression, 5th of 11, 20l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Alazan (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 2nd, not fluent 4th or 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Pascha Bere (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Haarth Sovereign (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, taken wide approaching 2nd, went 2nd 4th until 5th, weakened 3 out, not fluent last, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind General Ting (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Knight In Purple 7-2fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching last, soon drew clear, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Regional Counsel (10-8) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Option Money (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 17th of 18, well behind Astracad (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Ravati (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 10th of 11, 31l behind Carlito Brigante (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Aohna (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, keen hold early, not fluent 5th, soon chasing leader, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Candy Creek (10-5) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Kind Heart 9-1 (11-9) Prominent, took keen hold, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 44l behind Heavenly Chorus (11-3) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Very Stylish (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 46l behind Gifted Leader (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
El Presidente (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 10th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Salut Flo (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
