held up, mistake 5th, headway 12th, weakened 4 out, left poor 4th last
always prominent, hit 5th, led 2 out, headed and no extra flat
rear from 8th, soon ridden along, tailed off when pulled up after 11th
in touch, ridden 10th, effort after 13th, soon weakened
led to 11th, led 12th, mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up, headway 8th, weakened 5 out
tracked leader, mistake 9th, led 11th to 12th, mistake 3 out, weakening and 4th when fell last
always behind, tailed off
held up towards rear, hampered and mistake 11th, headway 13th, ridden approaching 5 out, hard ridden to lead flat, all out
chased leaders to 7th, in touch until mistake 13th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
The ground may be too testing for recent Ludlow winner Fluff 'n' Puff so preference is for Apple Joe, who gets the vote over Felix Darby. The last mentioned has rather harshly been raised 7lbs for his win at Fontwell last time and a combination of that and the softer ground leaves the nine-year-old with more to do. Bob Woodhouse's Donnybrook had slipped to a fair mark prior to winning at Towcester last time and has to be respected under a 7lb penalty but that race may have taken its toll and this may come too soon. Ziggy's Way won first time out last season so can go well when fresh and he is another to consider along with Grumpy Stumpy from the in-form stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies. Jonjo O'Neill's runners always warrant respect but Pure Platinum gave little sign of encouragement on his recent return and preference is for Apple Joe. The eight-year-old remains feasibly well treated, goes particularly well with plenty of cut in the ground and, if fit enough for his return, has an obvious chance.
