led after 2nd until headed 16th, ridden after 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner from next
In touch until mistake and unseated rider at 3rd
held up, ridden and weakened after 16th
chased leader until 11th, outpaced and ridden after 15th, weakened approaching 2 out
always in touch, tracked leader from 10th, led 16th, ridden clear after 3 out, tired flat, ridden out
held up and not always fluent, ridden after 14th, one pace and never on terms with leading pair
prominent until 3rd, gradually lost place, well behind from 14th
prominent until 3rd, hit 9th, behind 14th, soon ridden, one pace
Maximize caught the eye staying on again over an inadequate trip on his debut for Martin Pipe at Wincanton recently and, over a more realistic distance, is taken to return to winning ways at the main expense of French Executive and Orswell Crest. The last mentioned represents the in-form stable of Philip Hobbs and has to be respected but a 7lb penalty for winning a weak race at Sandown earlier in the month may anchor him. A similar comment applies to the Paul Nicholls-trained French Executive, who has been raised 8lbs for success at Stratford last month. The 11-year-old Samuel Wilderspin has slipped to an attractive mark but is difficult to recommend on his reappearance and more solid claims are held by the Venetia Williams-trained Itsonlyme although he may not be able to dominate this field. The safest bet though appears to be Maximize. At his best on a fast surface over three miles, the former Henrietta Knight-trained inmate made an encouraging debut for Martin Pipe in the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton over 2m5f and, over this longer trip, he is taken to win his first race for new connections.
