led, pecked 3rd, ridden at 2 out, headed at last, kept on
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway 5th, challenged from 3 out, ridden to lead flat, headed final strides
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, hit 2 out, rallied well under pressure to lead final strides
held up, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened
held up, headway on outer after 5th, pressed leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outer after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, eased
in touch, ridden and some headway after 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
Although Lord Buckingham is a well regarded type that did it well at Wincanton last month, supporting horses with a noted breathing problem is always a risky policy to take out, so the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding is rated only a saver option with Complete Outsider also factored in as cover to any mishaps. A watching brief on the market could also be meritorious regarding the Pass It On, whose famous colours will be carried by the irrepressible Tony McCoy. However, even the champion jockey has been finding the winners hard to come by from is retainer at the moment and his mount may be best watched as he makes his debut under rules this afternoon. Complete Outsider has some course experience to his name - having won a bumper here before two subsequent appearances over hurdles. Those races returned mixed fortunes, but the experiences will stand him in good stead in this company. The six-year-old still has a fair bit more to offer and can represent good value today. However, this does seem to revolve around how well Lord Buckingham has recovered from his exertions twenty seven days ago and it could prove to be foolhardy to leave him out of any betting plans for, what in truth, is only a modest contest.
