chased clear leading pair to 5th, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened 5th, soon tailed off
led in start, chased leader, led approaching 4th, mistake 6th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, weakened
driven along 3rd, always behind, tailed off 2 out
held up in mid-division, hampered on inside bend after 5th, beaten after
behind, pushed along 4th, hit 5th, headway next, joined leaders after 2 out, every chance between last 2, stayed on same pace
prominent in chasing group, ridden 5th and soon weakened, well behind when eased from 2 out, pulled up before last
always behind, mistake 2 out, soon tailed off
pulled hard, led 2nd to approaching 4th, weakened rapidly next, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
led to 2nd, stayed front rank, hit 5th, went 2nd next, led soon after 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
behind, plugged on at one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, smooth headway to chase leading trio soon after 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
In the opener, Harcourt is selected ahead of Isam Top and Better Moment. Harcourt won with such ease at Plumpton last time that it's fair to say that his penalty might not stop him from winning again. Better Moment looks a better option for a place than he is for win purposes from his current mark, while Batchworth Beau has been running well of late and is another to consider. Irish raider Loustic des Iles would hold solid claims on his 2004 form, while Brave Jo can have the case built for her based on her best efforts. You cannot rule out Canni Thinkaar based on his best summer efforts, and given that he is only three pounds above his January course and distance winning mark, Isam Top can be given a shout. Overall, though, the vote goes to Harcourt.
Freedom Now (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Prominent, chased leader after 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 8th, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Devito (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Nov '05.
Harcourt (USA) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 6th, led 3 out, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (3) gs beating Narlen (10-12) by 16l, 10 ran.
Better Moment (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) In rear, soon tailed off, 8th of 14, 34l behind San Antonio (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Follow Your Heart (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, not jumped well, weakened after 11th, 8th of 14, well behind Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Gondolin (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 9th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Win A Rose (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 16 ran.
Never So Blue (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Always behind, 15th of 17, well behind Bleak House (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Batchworth Beau 8-1 (11-10) In touch, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Executive Paddy (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Loustic Des Iles (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 10th of 16, 32l behind Teutonic Prince (11-6) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 gd in Aug.
Secam (POL) 33-1 (11-3) In touch, mistake and weakened 5th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ard Solus (10-12) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Oct '04, 14 ran.
Brave Jo (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Prominent, led after 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace after, 4th of 8, 23l behind Norton Sapphire (9-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, 10th of 14, 29l behind Fort Ord (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Isam Top (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division until 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Madiba (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
