tracked leaders, led 6th until next, led 8th, clear 2 out, not fluent last, comfortably
went violently left start, soon prominent, led approaching 7th, headed next, ridden and weakened quickly after 10th, pulled up before next
led until 6th, gradually faded, tailed off
behind, tailed off 9th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on, never on terms
in touch until 4th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after 10th
in touch until weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division until weakened approaching 10th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, headway approaching 10th, soon ridden, not fluent and hampered 3 out, one pace after
in touch until 7th, soon behind, pulled up after 10th
hampered start, behind, headway 4th, went 2nd 10th, slightly hampered 3 out, soon ridden, mistake next, weakened
held up towards rear, headway 9th, chased winner and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
held up rear, headway 8th, ridden and outpaced after 10th, stayed on from 2 out
chased leaders, ridden from 5th, weakened after 8th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
It's hard to be dogmatic in attempting to nominate the winner of this tricky affair but maybe Withthelads can get the better of Gazump and, possibly, Romero and Starlight Express. The selection ended last season on a high when fitted with first-time blinkers. A rise of nine pounds in the ratings might not stop him and the booking of Tony McCoy for this lightly-raced gelding also inspires confidence. Gazump has a similar profile to the selection so it was hard to choose between them. Starlight Express and Romero are others who are due serious thought to but, for us, it's best to stick with Withthelads.