tracked leaders, ridden and mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, chased winner approaching and not fluent last, one pace
held up mid-division, weakened from 6th
held up, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
pulled up, held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, stayed on from last
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, fell last
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, mistake 5th, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out
led, headed 3rd, led again 4th, headed 3 out, weakened between last 2
held up, weakened from 7th
tracked leaders, behind and pulled up before 6th
Going left-handed will suit Meridian City however he cannot be trusted just yet and preference instead is for LIGHTENING ROD ahead of Saveiro and Tilt. Some interesting contenders here including the last-named who is rated 88 on the flat. He could easily take to this hurdling lark and this strong-stayer should see out every yard of the trip. However we will stick with the proven performer Lightening Rod. He stayed on well up the Wetherby incline to beat Cunning Clarets (who has won since) and despite his penalty he should run a big race. Meridian City looked to have a very winnable opportunity last time out at Musselburgh but he blotted his copybook by jumping left at his hurdles before running out with a circuit still left to run. Grand Zouki can fare better now dropped in trip, Cuigny returns from a break and should be happier on this ground, whilst Jackday was a frustrating performer on the flat but may find the prospect of hurdling quite fun. Play The Rock has a first start in the UK this afternoon and needs a market check, along with Restezen D'Armor who should have learnt plenty from that first start over hurdles at Southwell. Of more interest perhaps is Saveiro who is a horse of some potential; he made a bright start when third to Sonowyouno but his following run at Musselburgh was weak and it is no surprise that connections bring him back to a track he likes in order to restore some confidence. Karrot Kake is another potential improver, however this can go the way of Lightening Rod.
Lightening Rod 11-2 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Cunning Clarets (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Meridian City (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) Ran out, tracked leader, led approaching 4th, ran out on stable bend after 6th, in a race won by Kellystown Lad (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs, 6 ran.
Cuigny (FR) 9-1 (10-5) In touch, took closer order 4th, outpaced approaching 2 out, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Carsonstown Boy (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Grand Zouki (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, well behind Soft Spoken Guy (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Great Vintage (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, weakened after 4 out, 11th of 13, well behind Amanda Carter (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Its Beyond Me 66-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, beaten and eased final 3f, last of 10, well behind Quite The Man (10-11) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
Jackday (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 8l behind No Rules (9-6) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct (flat).
Lisbon Lion (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Behind, headway into mid-division 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Always Bold (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Play The Rock (FR) (11-2) won at Craon(FR) 2m 4f chs gs in Sep beating L'artiste Francais (11-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 14, 40l behind My Shamwari (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Saveiro (FR) 11-10fav (10-12) Always prominent, effort to chase winner when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 12, 23l behind Always Bold (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Slow Escape (USA) 50-1 (10-0) Slowly away, always in rear, 12th of 14, 10l behind Mooted (9-1) at Windsor 1m mdn auc stks (5) gd in May '08 (flat).
Tilt 16-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Merchant Of Dubai (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov (flat).
Karrot Kake 9-1 (10-5) Held up, lost place from 5th, 9th of 11, 45l behind Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Mandrake Miss 100-1 (9-3) Started slowly, ran green in rear, ridden and lost touch over 2f out, soon tailed off, virtually pulled up, last of 13, well behind Crystal Rock (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug '08 (flat).
Scrum V 125-1 (10-9) Led to 6th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 12, 18l behind Alvarado (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
