tracked leader, lost place 5th, hit 7th, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, rallied flat but not reach winner
made all, mistake 2nd, blundered badly 10th, ridden approaching last, kept on last gamely
held up, ridden and lost touch 10th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
held up behind, hit 9th, ridden 10th, stayed on moderately through beaten horses
tracked leaders, close to order 6th, tracked winner 9th, ridden when hit 3 out, soon beaten
always tracking leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
In a small but competitive handicap the improving Lord Halfnothin, is taken to beat Strongtrooper and Dunowen. Robert Alner's charge has earned his big weight following victories here and at Fontwell and Leicester. The handicapper may not yet have him in his grip so win number four looks on the cards. Strongtrooper will be a major threat having finally got his jumping together at Leicester last time when making Prairie Minstrel pull out all the stops. Dunowen is back over the larger obstacles after a couple of confidence boosters over hurdles, if he can return to his best Irish form he will be in the shake up. Very Very Noble returns after a long absence and has decent enough form, but Lordhalfnothin is progressing nicely and can take this on the way to better things.
