always towards rear, tailed off from 5 out
held up towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, weakened after 5 out
led, soon clear, ridden 2 out, hung right after last, headed close home, eased last strides and lost 2nd place
held up towards rear, stumbled 5th, in 5th and one pace when mistake 3 out, no impression after
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, ridden and lost place 6th
held up towards rear, headway to go 4th after 5 out, went 3rd from 3 out, kept on to take 2nd last strides
held up towards rear, quickly pulled up after 5th, dismounted
towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway 7th, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 4 out, no extra last
held up towards rear, never a factor
tracked leader, jumped right 6th, 7th and 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on gamely to lead close home
held up mid-division, headway from 4 out, went 5th from 2 out, no impression
A tricky race to assess and the vote just goes to ET MAINTENANT. Lucinda Russell's charge can go well when fresh so a six month absence is not a concern, while trip and ground suit and he remains on a very competitive mark. Cavers Glen would be very interesting if fit after a two-year absence but he has always needed a comeback run or two so is taken on. Forty Five should go well on this ground and this is his optimum distance, but he too seems to need a run and can't be backed with confidence. Conditions and trip suit Sotovik, who goes well at this track and is handily weighted, while Carrietau is another who relishes some cut and, despite never having won from this mark, is entitled to be hugely competitive.
Rayshan (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In rear, ridden 9th, weakened before 2 out, last of 7, 37l behind Ballyvesey (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway approaching 4 out, went 6 lengths 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well flat, not reached winner, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Agglestone Rock (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Et Maintenant (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 7th, led last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Apr beating Cash Man (11-6) by 5l, 13 ran.
Carrietau 7-4fav (11-9) Made all, kept on well flat, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Duke of Malfi (10-11) by 7l, 4 ran.
High Bird Humphrey 7-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, some headway on inside when mistake 5th, soon ridden and lost place, 10th of 12, 17l behind Nether Stream (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Camden George (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leading pair, outpaced 4 out, lost place when blundered next, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 21l behind Agglestone Rock (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Cantgeton (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, no chance from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Beggars Cap (11-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May '09, 9 ran.
Polar Gunner 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Nelson du Ronceray (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 5 ran.
Forty Five (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Hit 10th, always behind, 11th of 13, well behind Noun De La Thinte (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Prioryjo 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th to chase leaders, ridden and weakened approaching last, 4th of 12, 11l behind Planetarium (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hcp hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Sotovik (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Led or disputed lead until went on 6th, headed 4 out, driven and outpaced next, 12 length down in 2nd when left 15 lengths clear last, driven right out (no time taken), won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in May beating Athoss (10-10) by 9l, 6 ran.
Cavers Glen 11-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov '08 beating Malko De Beaumont (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
