held up towards rear, no impression from over 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impresson
led, hit 4 out, headed approaching last, rallied and regained lead post
held up in touch, a close 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up mid-division, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out one pace
held up mid-division and keen, one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4th, challeneged 2 out, led approaching last, headed post
tracked leader, lost place from 4th
held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out soon weakened
WHISKY MAGIC and Another Trump are the two that appeal most although Divers and Danny Zuko cannot be ignored. The selection is another from the powerful yard at County Durham and makes his handicap mark on a realistic perch. He was a trifle disappointing having scored at the first time of asking over obstacles but he may just have needed a little more time and can live up to his purchase price this season. Another Trump won his maiden impressively at Huntingdon before failing to defy a penalty at Bangor which may have prompted the switch to competing with the rank and file. Having won at Huntingdon it remains to be seen how he takes to this contrasting test. Danny Zuko should have no problems on that score but isn't obviously well treated and Divers may emerge as a bigger threat as he should be able to cope with this trip given the testing nature of the finish. The booking of McCoy for Sendali obviously takes the eye and he ran a fair enough race at Perth behind the impressive McMurdo Sound but he hasn't always convinced when push comes to shove and we'd rather be with Whisky Magic.
Another Trump (NZ) Evensfav (11-5) Led, slipped on bend after 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, no extra after final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Kingsben (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Divers (FR) 5-2 (11-6) Raced keenly, held up in touch, driven out approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd after last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Winning Counsel (10-6) at Perth 3m hdl (4) gd in May.
Whisky Magic (FR) 15-8 (11-6) Led, headed approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, not quicken, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Springfield Raki (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Sam Lord 8-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, soon led, joined 4 out, headed 2 out, lost 2nd last, ridden and weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Heez A Steel (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gd.
Danny Zuko (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Always prominent, challenged 2 out, led last, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Hello Nod (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Fistral 16-1 (10-3) Hit 4th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 11, 40l behind Hello Nod (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Sendali (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 4th of 13, 5l behind Mcmurdo Sound (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sep.
Rosbay (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 3 out, chased leading pair after 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Rich Lord (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '08.
Follow On 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 7, 11l behind Kickahead (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
High Bird Humphrey 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, hit 4th, not fluent next, headway 4 out, blundered last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Some Touch (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
Strobe 20-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 12th of 13, 44l behind Mcmurdo Sound (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sep.
Wensleydale Web 10-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, switched right flat, stayed on well to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Benmadigan (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
