tracked leader, mistake 8th, weakened 4 out
in touch, chased winner 4 out, mistake next, led approaching 2nd last, soon driven clear, readily
held up towards rear, blundered 10th, soon under pressure and beaten
behind, headway 11th, stayed on to take 2nd at last fence, no chance with winner
held up in touch, mistake 7th, under pressure 9th, soon lost place, pulled up 12th
led, hit 3 out, soon driven and headed, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, good headway 10th, hit 12th, soon under pressure and weakened
tracked leader when blundered and unseated rider 1st
This is not an easy race for punters to fathom but we will nominate Star Double to get the better of Protagonist and Jewel Song. The selection has some respectable form and a combination of the drop in trip and ease in grade should be enough to see him get his head in front. He was well beaten last time but it was still a good effort against some seasoned campaigners and he makes plenty of appeal. Protagonist finished in mid-division in a handicap chase last time out under rules, and he will have no problems with the ground or trip so he could go well. Jewell Song put in a fair effort last time behind Mr Tee Pee over this course and distance, so if he can build on that he could be capable of claiming a place. Ballyowen won a point-to-point in good style last time and he can also go well, but Star Double has plenty in his favour today and gets the vote.
Ballyowen (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Made all; r.o wl, won at Horseheath 3m ptp frm in Feb beating Arctic Summer (12-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Flashy Sir 66-1 (11-3) Keen in rear, headway 5th to go in touch, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 7th of 13, 20l behind Northaw Lad (11-3) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr '06.
Jewel Song 6-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden 11th, struggled on from next, 5th of 12, 30l behind Mr Tee Pee (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
Protagonist 5-2 (11-0) Headway 7th, sustained challenge 15th, driven ahead close home, won at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Premium First (11-4) by a hd, 13 ran.
Sironi (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Towards rear, behind when hampered 9th, 7th of 12, well behind Mr Tee Pee (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
Star Double (ITY) 9-1 (12-5) (cp) led to 13; wknd 4 out; lft 2nd nxt, 2nd of 6, 30l behind Another Dude (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gf.
Tallow Bridge (IRE) 11-10 (12-5) Held up; ev ch 3 out; sn wknd, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind My Best Buddy (12-5) at Marks Tey 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Fleur De Nikos (FR) 9-4fav (10-7) Lost plce 11; nt r.o; t.o & pulled up in race won by Croix De Guerre (11-0) at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp gd in Jan, 11 ran.
