tracked leaders, led 12th until next, led briefly approaching 4 out, ridden to press winner until after 2 out, no extra
in touch until 12th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 13th until hit next, led 4 out, clear last, stayed on well, pushed out
led until hit 12th, regained lead 14th, ridden and headed before 4 out, one pace after
hit 1st, lost touch 12th, tailed off
in touch when blundered very badly and unseated rider 3rd
in touch, closing in 4th when hit 14th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd last
lost touch after 11th, tailed off
WICHITA LINEMAN can come out on top here; Lodge Lane and Pancake are the obvious danger. This seven-year-old was top class over hurdles and he won a beginners' chase at Chepstow last time on his chasing bow. He is proven on this ground and he can win this before going on to bigger and better things. Lodge Lane rates as the main danger as he has always shaped as though he would make a decent chaser and he will relish these ground conditions. He does have a long absence to overcome here and he is probably best watched on his chasing bow. Phillip Hobbs is bidding to win this race for the third year in a row but his runner Pancake was well beaten last time out at Uttoxeter and he will need to leave that running behind if he is to get competitive. Alan King's Alfasonic has got some decent chasing form but he is another who will be sharper for the run after being off the track since March. Wichita Lineman is a class act and should be tough to beat.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, nudged along after 13th, ridden after 4 out, switched right after 2 out, stayed on well from last, led near finish, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating West End Rocker (11-4) by a nk, 5 ran.
Alfasonic 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, driven 8th, mistake and lost place 10th, tailed off 15th, 6th of 8, well behind Leading Attraction (10-9) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Mar.
Lodge Lane (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, led last, edged left under pressure flat, just held on, won at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Apr beating Tazbar (11-6) by a hd, 6 ran.
Pancake (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, blundered 13th and lost 2nd, weakened next, remote when jumped left 4 out, 3rd of 7, well behind What A Friend (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Rock Captain (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division until weakened 11th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Psychomodo (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gd.
Spin The Gin (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-7) A.p; lft in ld aft 10-14; led 3 out; drew clr flat, won at Ballarat 3m ptp gf in May '07 beating Bonny Busona (11-11) by 8l, 9 ran.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden and struggling 7th, mistake 3 out, 9th of 17, 29l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Wasntme (IRE) 150-1 (11-3) Always in rear, behind from 9th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Crescent Island (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
