held up towards rear, some headway when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, not always fluent, led before 3rd, hung left and headed approaching 2 out, no extra before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, led 2 out, ran green but drew clear flat, taking effort
always behind
held up in mid-division, closed 6th, challenged after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner flat
in rear from 3rd, behind 4 out
not jump well, led until before 3rd, stayed prominent, no extra 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 6th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd flat, no impression on winner
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, led approaching 2 out, not fluent and headed at hurdle, went left last, no extra flat
in rear, not fluent 2nd, soon behind, tried to refuse 3rd, clambered over hurdle and pulled up
chased leaders, went left before 2nd, jumped slowly 4 out, struggling after next
This may turn out to be a decent contest as it features three bumpers winners and a previous hurdles winner in Rasasee, though he has a similar rating to Thisonetime and is conceded 7lb to Dan Skelton’s runner who was a staying-on second over a shorter trip here last month when ahead of The Detainee. THE BLACK SQUIRREL is fancied to come out best of that trio of bumper winners, ahead of Gunfleet and Huntress, as he’s been improving with experience though Chosen Path, having his first run under Rules, is definitely one to note for future reference.
Rasasee (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, 4th and beaten 2 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Lovato (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Admiral Barratry (FR) 4-1 (10-12) In rear and in touch, mistake and unseated rider 5th, at Haydock 2m (2) gs in Feb.
Battle Of Ideas (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Mainly chased leader, ridden over 3f out, outpaced by easy winner over 2f out, held on to 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Forgot To Ask (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Apr.
Chosen Path (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs in 3rd until disp frm 4th, cl 2nd 3out & mstk 2out, cl 3rd but btn last, ko one pcd, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Sunset Showdown (11-11) at Knockanard 2m mdn sft in Feb.
Doolin 40-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, never a factor, 8th of 10, dist behind Cultivator (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar.
Garrane (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Rr, 10th aftr a mile, sl prog in 6th aftr 4out, 5th aftr 3out, no impr in 5th when fell last, at Kinsale 3m mdn Yielding in Jun.
Gunfleet (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 2nd over 3f out, led 1f out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Apr beating Solomon Grey (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Jimmy 10-1 (10-13) In touch, under pressure over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 22 1/2l behind White Valiant (11-6) at Fontwell 1m 6f (6) gd in Apr.
The Black Squirrel (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-0) Made all, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m (5) gs in Sep beating Lady Vesta (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
The Detainee 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure from last, went 4th towards finish, no chance with leaders, 4th of 11, 12l behind Jackblack (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Thisonetime (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Jackblack (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Bit Spicy (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In rear, pushed along 6th, soon lost place, 6th of 7, dist behind Knocknanuss (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gf in May.
Huntress (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Made all, clear over 2f out, ran on well, won at Plumpton 2m 2f (6) gf in Mar beating Jubilympics (10-7) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Age Of Wisdom (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Mere Anarchy (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
