mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden to challenge 2 out, led flat, kept on, ridden out
chased leaders, led after 3 out, soon ridden, headed and not fluent last, no extra
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, not reached leaders
held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leader until 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, headed flat, kept on
always behind, tailed off
led until after 3 out, gradually weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
reminders after 4th, behind, some progress under pressure when hit 2 out, no further impression
tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, soon weakened
took keen hold, always towards rear, pulled up before last
always towards rear
in touch until 7th, soon behind, tailed off
Darkshape receives the token vote here with Fox 'n' Goose, Give Me Love and Such A Man high on the short-list. The selection did manage to win a race for Venetia Williams back in 2005 but has generally been disappointing since then and he also has to conclusively prove his stamina for this trip. However, his latest run doesn't read too badly in the context of this race and the way he stayed on suggested that he's well worth another try at this trip, Philip Hide is a positive booking and thus he receives our vote. Give Me Love brings some of the best recent form into the race having finished second over this trip at Southwell last time. He didn't find a great deal for pressure on that occasion but clearly merits respect. Troublesome Gerri is worth a market check with a tongue tie fitted for the first time whilst Such A Man steps up in trip and drops in grade on just his fourth start for his new yard. Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time and market support would be encouraging as he's bred to stay this far and beyond. Fox 'n' Goose should come on for his recent reappearance and looks booked for a big run with the blinkers back on and Jamie Moore taking over in the saddle. He's run well under similar conditions in the past but is still a maiden so we've decided to stick with Darkshape.
Sonoma (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Never better then mid-division, 12th of 21, 49l behind Wun Chai (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Such A Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, ridden and struggling after 8th, 7th of 8, 31l behind Back To The Wind (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Killone Moonlight (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Bhnd til pulled up in race won by Scare Lotte (11-10) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Give Me Love (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, headway approaching 6th, chased winner after 3 out, going well and every chance 2 out, found nil approaching last, 2nd of 9, 5l behind General Alarm (10-12) at Southwell 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Coppermalt (USA) 66-1 (9-12) Keen early, prominent, not much room 4th, soon ridden, lost place after next, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind First Feerie (11-10) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Gatecrasher 80-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 7th, led after next, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Isaac Newton (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gf in May.
Wild Knight (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, effort 5th, soon struggling, well behind when mistake 7th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Tayman (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Fox 'n' Goose (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Struggling 4th, soon behind, 13th of 15, well behind Noble Minstrel (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Sacred Bull 100-1 (11-2) Behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Superior Wisdom (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Kings Story (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) In touch, lost place 8th, 5th of 15, 21l behind Don't Be Bleu (10-10) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Lowe Go 9-1 (11-3) Chased leader, not fluent 6th and lost place, stayed on again after 3 out, 4th of 16, 27l behind Westfield Dancer (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl (5) gf in May '07.
Tra Beg (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, mid-division, mistake 3rd and fell at the 9th in race won by Wednesday Country (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Darkshape 10-1 (9-12) Held up, ridden 5th, outpaced and blundered 3 out, kept on flat, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 14l behind Mucho Loco (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
