prominent, mistake 1st, led after 2nd until 12th, led 15th headed next, ridden after 17th, weakened approaching 3 out
* never fluent, mid-division till 4, soon behind, pulled up before 12th (lame)
led till after 2nd, chased leader, led 12th, headed 15th, ridden after 17th, weakened approaching 4 out
mid division, headway 10th, mistake 15th, driven to lead approaching 4 out, hard ridden and no extra when headed flat
soon well behind, never on terms
chased leader until 6th, soon ridden, behind from 11th, held off and pulled up before 4 out
mid division, hampered 7th, hit 9th, ridden after 17th, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mid division, mistake 7th, weakened approaching 14th, pulled up before 15th
chased leaders, ridden after 10th, lost place 13th, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on
mid division till 6th, soon well behind and ridden, good headway after 17th, stayed on well from 3 out, led flat, ridden out
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, led after 16th, blundered badly next, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened quickly next (bbv)
always behind, tailed off, and pulled up before 17th
Garruth changed hands for a small fortune after winning at Aintree a couple of years ago, but has cut little ice for his new connections over fences. He showed signs of form when a staying-on second at Taunton last time, and compared to his hurdles mark could be very well handicapped. However, the fact remains that he looks uneasy over the larger obstacles and he cannot be backed with any confidence. Lancastrian Jet, on the other hand, is a tough and consistent stayer who will relish these conditions. He struggled behind Iris Bleu and company at Sandown last time, but this is an easier race and he is definitely one for the short list. Three of these were winners last time out, including Kim Bailey's Cedar Green, who came back from a bit of a break to win well at Fontwell last time. He has been raised 7lbs for that, and this is probably a more competitive race, but he is still respected. Possible Pardon made most of the running to score at Chepstow last time, but may struggle to do so again under top weight, and our slight preference in a very competitive stayers' event goes to old Bally Lira. Simon Burrough, who has ridden the mare on many occasions in the past, now trains the 11-year-old, and a change in tactics proved to be something of a revelation for her at Chepstow on her latest start. From 13lbs out of the handicap, she made virtually every yard of the running to beat Nativetrial by 26 lengths, and she is only effectively one pound higher in the weights today. We believe that the new tactics made the difference, and if they are employed again here then Bally Lira is more than capable of following up.
