mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden and every chance last, no extra
always in the rear
mid-division, ridden 3 out, plugged on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up, headway on outside 7th, kept on under pressure to lead approaching last
led, headed 5th, prominent when fell 8th
always in the rear
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, kept on, no extra close home
in touch, lost place after 4th
towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden and hung left from 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 7th
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 8th, weakened next
held up, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 7th, led 8th, ridden 2 out, weakening when headed approaching last
WARSAW PACT is our pick with Englishtown and Bold Policy as the alternatives. The selection is the pick of the Hobbs runners if jockey bookings are to be believed and while he hasn't reached the heights that a number of ex-Prescott charges have made, the handicapper does appear to be cutting him a little slack at the moment and off 117 he is just 3lb higher than his last winning mark. Jonjo O'Neill's stable have had a good week so don't rule out Englishtown. The tongue strap is back on and ground conditions should suit. Bold Policy has been handicapped on some very ordinary form in novice company. The step up to 2m4f should prove of some assistance. Forthright had bits and pieces of form in Ireland and will have come on for two recent runs on the level for new connections. Irish Legend has continued to defy the handicapper but a revised mark of 123 requires further improvement. Burren Legend ran a career best to be sixth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. His hurdling form comes up some way shorter than that. Shannon Falls was going nicely enough before capsizing at Uttoxeter last month. A look at the market is advised to see if anything is anticipated today.
Carrick Oscar (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Prominent, 5th approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 22nd of 25, well behind Brave Right (10-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Forthright 3-1 (11-6) Held up, some headway to moderate 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure, no danger, 5th of 8, 21l behind Kahuna (11-2) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 0-130 gs in Aug.
Burren Legend (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway from 3 out, stayed on from next, nearest finish, 6th of 19, 7l behind Monkerhostin (10-13) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Englishtown (FR) 20-1 (10-3) Soon behind, never dangerous, last of 15, well behind Ursis (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sept.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, weakened last, 6th of 12, 16l behind Mister Wiseman (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Shannon Falls (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked leader, hit 3rd, not fluent when not much room 7th, challenging when fell 4 out in race won by Bantry Bere (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Sept, 12 ran.
Go Free 16-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, mistake 3rd, lost touch 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Caliban (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Held up behind, good headway on inside when slipped badly and lost place 3 out, kept on from next, never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 6l behind Mr Preacher Man (11-6) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Sept.
Court Ruler 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 29l behind Gustavo (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Bold Policy (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, held when left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 14, 24l behind Stellino (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Foxspur (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch until 7th, soon ridden, behind from 9th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Oberon Moon (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Apr, 20 ran.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Prominent chasing group, lost place 5th, no danger after, 7th of 9, 47l behind Markington (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Aug.
Oscar Gogo (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division until dropped rear 5th, soon ridden, badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Sunnyhillboy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 15 ran.
Rawaabet (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Prominent in chasing group, mistake 2nd, led approaching 5th, in command from 2 out, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Sept beating Temple Place (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Irish Legend (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, hampered after 2 out, squeezed through, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Sept beating Mizen Raven (10-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
