mistake 1st, held up, ridden after 15th, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway 15th, hit 17th, ridden approaching 3 out, narrow advantage last, headed final stride
in touch, took closer order after 15th, led approaching 4 out, blundered next, soon headed and one pace after
chased leaders until lost place 9th, mistake 13th, soon ridden behind from 16th
led until 7th, prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, led 2 out, narrowly headed last, rallied, led final stride
prominent, not fluent 7th, ridden approaching 13th, weakened after 15th
chased leaders, led 7th until 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next
in touch, took closer order 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance flat, no extra near finish
In this marathon test, Notanotherdonkey is selected ahead of Strolling Vagabond and Precious Bane. Although he was disappointing on heavy at Haydock last time, Notanotherdonkey had shown progressive form in chases in his two previous runs to that on better going. More of the same can be reasonably expected today, although he is stepping up in trip and has to concede weight to the field. Conversely, the progressive Strolling Vagabond, who has won three of his last four races, would have been the selection but for the fact that he may prefer softer going. He also loves it here. Shaka's Pearls has shown enough in a light chasing career to be given some thought, while Hazeljack would hold claims based on winning course and distance form of April 2006 but he has been disappointing since. Precious Bane also holds claims based on his best form of around a year ago, while Hurlers Cross attracted some money last time before running pretty well but he races from eight pounds out of the weights today. Once again, then, the selection is Notanotherdonkey.
Notanotherdonkey (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Predestine (9-11) at Haydock 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Shaka's Pearl 13-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Jacarado (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Hazeljack 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until ridden 15th, weakend before next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Strolling Vagabond (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Precious Bane (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Led 2nd, ridden 3 out, hit last, headed soon after, carried right and no extra near finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Finzi (11-7) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, challenging from 3 out, led last, ridden clear, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Ebony Jack (9-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
Rag Week (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Led, headed 3rd, mistake and lost place next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Before Dark (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Pardini (USA) 7-1 (11-3) Led 3rd until 5th, close up when fell in race won by Lavenoak Lad (10-10) at Taunton 2m 7f chs 0-90 (5) sft, 5 ran.
Hurlers Cross (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Held up, went 3rd at 14th, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Malmo Boy (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
