mid-division, hit 2nd, headway after 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
made all and soon clear, stirrup leather broke approaching 6th, blundered next, kept on well when challenged flat
chased winner, ridden after 3 out, stayed on well and every chance flat, just failed
always towards rear,tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
never fluent in rear, tailed off from 5th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
Not much strength in depth here and although 12 go to post there are only three to be interested in. Brendan Powell has a useful prospect in the shape of Colonel Frank, and he would have no trouble winning an ordinary novice around here, but he faces two above average performers in Desmond Tutu and Spud One, and third place looks the best he can hope for. Desmond Tutu, a dual bumper winner, has been a little disappointing over timber to date, proving costly for punters to follow, having gone off favourite on two of his three outings over hurdles, once at long odds on. It may again pay to oppose him with Spud One, who impressed when seeing off the well-regarded Tollbrae at Huntingdon. The faster ground there seemed to bring about some improvement, so with the ground drying out all the time, he should have conditions to suit.