in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leaders to 7th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra flat
always behind
always behind
held up, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, pushed along 7th, weakened next
always towards rear
led to 2nd, chased leader, ridden to lead again after 3 out, ran on flat
Specular,Tonic du Charmil and Ichi Beau are three against the field in this competitive handicap chase and the vote is given to Specular. The selection won well last time out when beating Golden Crusader. He enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Tonic du Charmil rates the main danger on his latest second behind Touch Closer but although he travels well in his races he finds little off the bridal and for that reason he is opposed. Ichi Beau is another with place claims on his best form but he is far from consistent these days and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Of the remainder College City remains on a fair mark and is another with place claims but he continues to be let down by his jumping and for thew winner we return to Specular.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Towards rear, tracked leaders from 4th, ridden after 8th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Full Irish (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (B) gd in Apr.
Ichi Beau (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed from next, headed after 2 out, no impression run-in, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Commonchero (11-12) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-135 gf in May '04.
Danish Decorum (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Led until 4 out, weakened and eased 3 out, 7th of 10, 36l behind East Tycoon (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf.
Toi Express (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Took keen hold in rear, headway after 9th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 12l behind East Tycoon (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 9-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed next, led again last, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Touch Closer (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (D) gf.
Specular (AUS) 9-4 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, driven to lead flat, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (C) sft in Feb beating Golden Crusader (11-3) by a nk, 5 ran.
College City (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Held up in rear, blundered 2nd, pecked 7th, ridden after next, mistake 9th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Hakim (10-9) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Jul, 6 ran.
Hakim (NZ) 13-2 (10-9) Made all, left clear 3 out, mistake last, eased flat, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Jul beating Power Unit (11-7) by 25l, 6 ran.
