held up, headway after 9th, chased winner 4 out, close up when hit 2 out, not quicken flat
held up, ridden after 5th, lost touch 7th, tailed off
made all, mistake 2nd and clear until after 9th, jumped left last, driven out
held up, not fluent 4th, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased clear winner, headway after 9th, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
Mr Ed faces a straightforward task as he tries to get back on track today. Mister Flint and Bentyheath Lane are expected to keep the selection company until he exerts his presence when they come towards the finish. Bentyheath Lane has experience of the track and gets on well with today's pilot, whose 3lb claim will not do him any harm. Mister Flint was a fair performer over hurdles and his confidence will have been boosted by a clear round of fencing at Newton Abbot in June. However, Mr Ed does look to be in a different league at present and it will be very surprising if he cannot get back to winning ways in this company.
Mr Ed (IRE) 4-11fav (11-7) Held up, disputed 2nd from 10th, hit 12th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance when fell at the last in race won by Sweet Diversion (11-13) at Stratford 3m nov chs (D) gf, 4 ran.
Bentyheath Lane 66-1 (10-1) Always behind, 6th of 14, 38l behind Lutin Du Moulin (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in May.
Mister Flint 4-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind One Cornetto (11-1) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (D) gf in Jun.
Shanbally Lad (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Led until 2nd, remained prominent, hit 3rd, mistakes 6th, 11th and 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fontanesi (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (D) gf, 6 ran.
Slooghy (FR) 7-4fav (11-6) In touch, headway 4 out, close 2nd when brought down 3 out in race won by Springfield Scally (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Mar '03, 7 ran.
