made all, not fluent 5th, pushed along briefly after next, racing lazily and jockey at work before 3 out, in command before last, ridden out
tracked winner to 4th, hit 7th, 2nd again next, ridden after 3 out, no impression last
held up, not fluent 2nd or 4th, behind 8th, tailed off
tubed, held up, raced keenly, headway after 3rd, chased winner next until 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, raced keenly, mistake 4th, hit next, weakening when mistake 8th, tailed off
This looks a match-up between BAILY STORM and Shut The Bar with the vote given to the first mentioned. Tim Vaughan's 7-year-old has not always been the most consistent but he has found his form with a vengeance on his last two starts. He went close at Plumpton last time and prior to that he had won at Stratford. That still ranks as his sole success but he seems to have turned a corner and he could be one to stay on the right side of. Shut The Bar should give him the most to think about as he has won three of his seven starts over hurdles. He disappointed last time but that run might have come too quickly after his Bangor success and it would not be a surprise to see him bounce back today. Sir Punjabi was well beaten on his racecourse debut and he is hard to fancy. However, he should learn for the experience and it might be dangerous to dismiss his claims too readily. It is hard to make a case for either Barbirolli or Renege The Joker, and we will stick with Baily Storm to continue his recent good form.
Baily Storm (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Led, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Nur Tau (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Shut The Bar 6-5fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, pushed along before 3 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Vacario (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Barbirolli 12-1 (10-7) Raced in 3rd, well off the pace, mistake 3rd, struggling from 6th, tailed off, 6th of 9, 31l behind Rockys Choice (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Renege The Joker 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, 11th of 14, well behind Pebrock (10-7) at Southwell 2m 4yo nhf (5) sft in Jan '07.
Sir Punjabi 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, weakend 2 out, 5th of 7, well behind Dunaskin (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
