in rear, lost touch 6th
mid-division, hampered by loose horse 2nd, weakened after 6th, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden to chase leader 2 out, led flat, all out
mid-division, weakened after 5th, lost touch next
led, ridden 3 out, challenged and mistake 2 out, headed after flat
mistake and unseated rider 1st
towards rear, headway after 7th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened 7th
prominent, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, driven 5th, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 7th
badly hampered 1st, ridder lost irons and pulled up before 2nd
Leading Contender can make up for his recent defeat, with Carnival Town, Obaki de Grissay and The Sawyer all out to stop him. Leading Contender was all the rage on his recent reappearance at Worcester, having impressed in the main during his bumper campaign last season. However, he failed to justify his extremely short price and found one too good in Bradley Bear and is now out to silence his doubters. Without making excuses for the Hobbs inmate, he may well have just needed the run to sharpen him up, and this track will play to his strengths so he is taken to make amends with conditions to suit. Carnival Town was nowhere near as well fancied as the selection on his return at Bangor at the start of last month, but fared much better than his stablemate In Extra Time, going down by a neck at the finish. He should go well, while Obaki de Grissay will improve for the run and is one to watch over further this term. The Sawyer has plenty of experience, but again fitness is an issue, and for the winner we return to Leading Contender who can stamp his class on this field.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Keen and mistakes, lost touch 7th, 5th of 7, well behind Kanpai (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Carnival Town 25-1 (10-1) Behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, hampered and one pace flat, 2nd of 7, nk behind Royal Attraction (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Leading Contender (IRE) 4-11fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, hard ridden to lead flat, caught close home, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Bradley Boy (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Nictos de Bersy (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on to go 3rd well over 1f out, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Bermuda Pointe (10-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Obaki de Grissay (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind The Entomologist (11-4) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Rowdy Yeats (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-12) With winner until mistake 8th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, dismounted after finish, 13th of 14, well behind Curragh View (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
The Sawyer (BEL) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 5 out, ridden, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 15, well behind Alfasonic (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
What A Scientist (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) In touch, effort before last, soon led and battle on, won at Carrigtwohill 3m ire ptp gs in Jan beating Bealaha Bridge (12-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
