tracked leaders in 3rd, with leader 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
led, ridden and jumped right 2 out, under pressure when jumped right last, soon headed, no extra
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 1st, soon in rear, weakened from 6th
held up in touch, chased leading pair from 5th, chased leader approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, kept on well
held up in rear, mistake 4th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, reminder approaching 6th, soon weakened
Accordingtoemandem won well last time but may find OSRIC too strong in a race that is likely to be dominated by the pair. Our selection has been a shade disappointing so far but he actually did well to finish third last time having been set a mountain to climb at Newbury. He's rated 122 after a string of solid efforts over hurdles and providing the ground doesn't get too quick he'll likely prove tough to beat. It's interesting that he's missed a couple of engagements to come here and connections will rightly be very hopeful he can shed his maiden tag. Accordingtoemandem seemed to relish good ground when getting off the mark at Stratford last time. A repeat performance would give Ian Williams' charge excellent claims but he's got a penalty to carry and the feeling is he'll want a few furlongs further to show his absolute best. Of the remainder Master Fong must be considered having broken his duck over hurdles last time, in the process confirming he's comfortable on this ground which wouldn't be certain on pedigree. He was slightly flattered by the winning margin and will find this tougher but should take no worse than third barring accidents. National Obsession is going to be better suited by further in time and this ground will be plenty quick enough for him whilst Red Not Blue needs to return to his bumper debut winning form to take a hand here, so we return to Osric who gets our confident vote.
Accordingtoemandem (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, edged left in behind leader before going on approaching 2 out, not fluent at hurdle, soon clear, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Golden Button (10-8) by 14l, 11 ran.
Master Fong (IRE) 1-2fav (10-9) Chased leader, left in lead 2nd, left clear 2 out, eased near finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf beating Keep Gunin (11-0) by 9l, 12 ran.
National Obsession (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 37l behind Flaming Gorge (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Osric (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Mid-division in main group, went 13 lenghts down in 3rd before 2 out, 7 lenghts down last, closed flat, no impression near finish, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Outside The Box (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Oxford Circus 25-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon no impression, 7th of 15, 49l behind Conquisto (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Red Not Blue (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Jumped right 1st and 2nd, tracked winner until weakened approaching and hampered 3 out, 4th of 6, 47l behind Five Out Of Five (11-1) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Ruby Delta 16-1 (8-8) Keen early, mid-division, headway over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened 3f out, 9th of 10, 17l behind Monaadi (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Feb '09 (flat).
