ridden approaching 6th, soon behind, pulled up approaching 7th
held up and behind, steady headway from 6th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, ridden to lead flat, stayed on (wore cheek pieces)
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching last, headed and no extra flat
behind when virtually refused and unseated rider 2nd
chased leaders, behind from 5th, pulled up before 7th
behind from 7th
ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 7th, every chance 2 out, one pace
in touch, outpaced approaching 7th, soon well behind, tailed off
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat
The hardest task here is trying to find any sort of winning form that can tie in with forwarding a confident selection and bets are best kept to a minimum. Alcayde, rated just 98, is the one to beat according to the BHB figures and he has to be considered at this level. However, his best efforts do not make him a reliable selection and the fact that he is winless over timber from seven previous efforts in modest company, suggests that he is one to consider taking on. Nova Girl and Redouble fit the bill as the biggest dangers and with the former sitting pretty at the weights, she just gets the TEAMtalk vote. Although beaten by eight lengths behind Lost The Plot at Southwell last time, that form reads quite well in the context of this race and it would be no surprise to see her claimed post-race if she gives a good account of herself again. The booking of Mick Fitzgerald for Sungio also takes the eye and he is the only other to consider in what is a typically trappy event of this nature.
