made all, challenged 2 out, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened after, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division when fell 11th
in touch, tracked winner from 10th, ridden and close up 2 out, no extra flat
held up, closer order 8th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
held up, pulled up approaching 9th, dismounted
towards rear, headway 11th, tracked leading pair 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up, stayed on for poor 4th from 3 out
tracked winner, ridden and weakened 10th
An interesting chase in which TEAMGEIST, Tolede, Padalko and Plein Pouvoir promise to be the leading players; we'll take a chance with Charlie Mann's runner. He's returning from an absence so a market check is advised as he can't afford to be ring rusty with conditions as testing as they are. He does relish this ground though and shaped like an out and out stayer over hurdles which is no great surprise given his form in the pointing field in Ireland. Tolede is another former pointer and he promised plenty on his two outings in that field but hasn't been seen since winning the second of his starts in the spring of 2006; once again the market will be informative. Plein Pouvoir has been finding life difficult in handicaps but looks vulnerable to a decent sort and it's feasible that at least one of the runners in this line-up is above average. Padalko should be all the better for having completed a race but has plenty to prove over this longer trip as does winning pointer Knockarron. Market reference is essential but, with Charlie Mann's string still going well, we'll take Teamgeist to score.
Apatura Dik 14-1 (11-0) Led, ridden when mistake 3 out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 3rd of 20, 16l behind Sound Accord (11-0) at Newbury 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan '08.
Knockarron (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Held up in tch; hdwy 14; chall app last; r.o wl to ld cl home, won at Parham 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Super Kay (11-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Padalko (FR) 3-1 (10-11) Chased leader, narrow lead 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, beaten before last, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Fix The Rib (11-0) at Folkestone 2m mdn chs (4) gd.
Plein Pouvoir (FR) 9-1 (11-2) In touch, led 13th, blundered and headed 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 11l behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Teamgeist (IRE) 5-2 (10-5) In touch, ridden and outpaced 4 out, mistake 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Gansey (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '07.
Tolede (FR) (12-0) won at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp gs in Mar '06 beating Legal Scholar (12-0) by 10l, 14 ran.
Valentia Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 33l behind Apollo Creed (11-6) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Walter (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 16, 29l behind Glasker Mill (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec '05.
American World (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 29l behind Pinewood Legend (10-9) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl (4) sft.
Miss Fleur 50-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 17th, soon held, 4th of 8, 28l behind Carnival Town (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) hvy.
