mid-division, headway 4th, 4th approaching 3 out, 2nd when in view towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden before 5th, 3rd approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up
chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, weakened 4th
held up towards rear, some headway under pressure after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up
chased leader after 1st, still 2nd approaching 3 out, in lead when in view towards finish
mid-division, mistake 4th, soon ridden, headway next, weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to go 6th before 3 out, in 4th when in view towards finish
led, still in front before 3 out, headed soon after and weakened
held up towards rear, headway 4th, 5th before 3 out, in 3rd when in view towards finish
mistakes in rear, hanging left bend before 3 out, soon pulled up
APOCAL can take this at the expense of Minella For Food and Cavalry Twill. Paul Nicholls is a rare visitor to plating company and of his pair, we stick with the first on the racecard. There is a suspicion that he needs further but he is priced to go and there will be doubtless many on the hunt for a bargain. Minella For Food is yet to recapture his Irish form. Following a couple of no shows over fences, he reverts to the smaller obstacles this afternoon. Jimmy Frost has to be followed in plating events so don't rule out Cavalry Twill. Though modest, any firming up of the going will be a big help. Opening Meet won a bumper at Taunton yet has shown no progression since. Go Johnny Go was once a useful novice but his tumbling mark has been a reflection of how badly he has lost his way. City Well won a maiden for Mark Johnston though has yet to beat a horse home since retruning from absence. Inn For The Dancer seems likely to have the pacesetting duties. Operachy was better known as a five furlong sprinter so the switch to hurdling is a little hopeful. Not a strong race and Apocal may just have too much class for his rivals.
Apocal (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Mistake 5th, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lord Crewe (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd, 14 ran.
Cavalry Twill (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Always rear division, 6th of 13, 13l behind French Leave (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
City Well 33-1 (9-7) In touch, lost place halfway, struggling 6f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind John Forbes (9-9) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct (flat).
Go Johnny Go (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Prominent, lost place approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, well behind Canshebemine (9-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Inn For The Dancer 25-1 (10-9) Prominent early, chased leaders, pushed along after 3rd, lost place 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 23l behind Nono Le Sage (9-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Minella For Food (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) In rear, some headway approaching 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, well behind Chapel Flowers (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Opening Meet 12-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, prominent, went 2nd 5th until after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, 49l behind Elevenses (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Operachy 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders and keen, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 17l behind Just Jimmy (8-7) at Chepstow 6f 3yo hcp (6) gs in May '08 (flat).
Pacte Noir (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, lost touch over 5f out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Amroth Bay (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
Roaming West (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, pushed along and in touch after 5th, one pace and no impression next, 7th of 13, 20l behind French Leave (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Saskatoon Lily (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Gd hdwy 15; wknd 3 out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Ballinross (11-7) at Upcott Cross 3m ptp gd in May.
