tracked leader, led after 4th, headed after 6th, led again briefly approaching 4 out, soon weakened
set slow pace, headed after 4th, led again 7th, soon ridden and headed before next, weakened approaching 3 out
always prominent, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, one pace flat
prominent, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, driven out
keen, prominent 4th, weakened approaching 4 out
behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 5th, behind when pulled up before 7th
held up, headway 4 out and not fluent, soon ridden
held up in rear, headway 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
behind until pulled up before last
Crocadee has had his problems but is taken to bounce back here, with Vanormix, Legal Lunch and Lord Dundaniel seen as the main dangers. At the age of 11, Crocadee is probably past his best now, but this former decent chaser has the class to add a few more wins to his tally, and although another outing would not come amiss, Venetia Williams' charge is taken to make up for lost time today. A faller in the 2002 Hennessey, the son of Rakaposhi King had been sidelined until making a belated return behind Gin Palace over hurdles at Kempton recently. He ran extremely well until tiring in the final quarter of a mile and given just over three weeks to recover, should make a bold bid before being put back over fences. At the age of five, Vanormix has time on his side and should also come on for his latest outing at Newbury where he eventually finished fourth after taking it up on the home turn. That was his first run since successful at Taunton in January, and the fact that he will be that little bit fitter suggests that he can reverse Newbury form with Legal Lunch who can sometimes be a bit quirky. Lord Dundaniel won a decent race at Haydock last time and is due to fencing next season. He is a likeable sort who can reach the frame at least here, while Harapour, who with hindsight should not have turned out here just five days after scoring at Exeter, is another not to rule out after his little break. An interesting contest can go to the class horse in the line-up, Crocadee, providing he is none the worse for his encouraging return.
