held up, headway on outside approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway after 5th, mistake and weakened 2 out
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, ran on gamely
held up inrear, headway after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, jumped left last, no impression flat
led, hit 1st, clear after 2nd, jumped right 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up, closed 3 out, hit 2 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, 3rd and weakening when hit last, lost footing and fell a few strides after
SECRET TUNE can defy topweight to see off Pepporoni Pete and Treaty Flyer. Tom George looks set for a decent season this year and while his charge has to give weight all around, he looked useful last term. Second in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, he sets a stiff standard for the remainder. Pepporoni Pete has been a credit to connections having won yet another race in spite of his ailments. He is in receipt of lumps of weight today and should run well despite his high handicap mark. Treaty Flyer has been a fine talisman for Alison Thorpe's training skills and with back to back successes last month; he couldn't be heading for this race in better order. Any overnight rain would be a big help to the chances of Oldrik. Spanish Conquest looked a very progressive novice last term and can be forgiven a below par run at Sandown as it had followed a number of races within a short space of time. Dancewiththedevil has shown plenty of improvement over the calendar year and it is perfectly conceivable that he could go on from his recent Stratford success. Secret Tune looks worth playing at the likely odds.
Secret Tune 14-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 24, 13l behind Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
William Butler (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 15, 38l behind Always Waining (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep '08.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep beating Quasar D'oudairies (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 17 ran.
Oldrik (GER) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, effort when jumped left 2 out, soon weakened, 13th of 21, 30l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl 4yo+ (2) gs in Apr.
Games (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Led and soon well clear, reduced lead from 5 out, headed and weakened from 3 out, 12th of 16, 38l behind Armaramak (11-0) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) In touch, challenged 2 out, led flat, ran on, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sep beating Treaty Flyer (11-6) by 1l, 15 ran.
Spanish Conquest 5-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, faded approaching last, 8th of 15, 19l behind Sangfroid (10-3) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Benfleet Boy 50-1 (11-0) Made most, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 11, 36l behind El Dancer (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, kept on towards finish, held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sep beating Mister Benedictine (11-12) by nk, 9 ran.
