in touch, ridden to chase winner over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway on outer over 4f out, chased winner well over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, always held
held up, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon faded
chased leader, led over 4f out, clear over 2f out, driven out
held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up and keen, ridden and headway over 3f out, soon weakened
held up and keen, headway and hung left over 2f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 5f out
led, headed over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
In a very hard race to predict, the pin comes down on Chapel Flowers, with Go On Line, Tom's Toybox, Tazbar and Festival King others in with a shout. Bets should definitely be kept to the bare minimum in the finale, with so much untapped talent on view, including Chapel Flowers from the Nicky Richards stable. The son of Pisolet Bleu is related to the likes of Miracle Man and Father Delaney on the dam's side and just an ounce of their talent would be enough to see him involved in the shake-up today. Go On Line will attract support, given his connections, while Tom's Toybox is sure to benefit from his latest outing in which he was runner-up to Go On Line's stablemate Giveusaclue at Carlisle last month. Tazbar did nothing wrong on his introduction at Perth in June, but like Nodform's Victoria, will find this tougher under a penalty. Festival King may well have inherited his relative's Flat speed so has to be given a mention, and Graham Lee prefers Mr Floppy from Ferdy Murphy's trio of newcomers. All in all, this is a difficult one for punters to fathom, with Chapel Flowers given the smallest of votes.
Nodforms Victoria (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place over 5f out, rallied 3f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, driven out, won at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct beating Opio (10-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tazbar (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, tracked leaders over 4f out, soon ridden, left in front 2f out, kept on, won at Perth 2m nhf (6) gf in Jun beating Programme Girl (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Chapel Flowers (IRE) Pistolet Bleu gelding out of a once-raced mare.
Dearsha (FR) Dear Doctor gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Festival King (IRE) King's Theatre gelding, half-brother to 7f winners Indian Beauty and Indian Princess.
Go On Line Overbury gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Sea The Light.
Harrowman (IRE) Zaffaran gelding out of Moon Storm.
Jack Tar (IRE) Jolly Jake gelding out of winning hurdler Pretty Furry.
Little Paddy (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Behind, pulled hard, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer, 7th of 20, 11l behind Bleak House (10-10) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Mr Floppy (IRE) Un Desperado gelding, full brother to bumper and hurdles winner very Optimistic.
Northern Lad (IRE) Lord of Appeal gelding, half-brother to several winners under NH rules.
Onaroll 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, driven along 5f out, soon behind, 12th of 17, well behind Buena Vista (10-2) at Doncaster 2m mdn nhf (H) gd in Jan '05.
Ossmann (IRE) 8-11fav (12-0) 2nd of 11, 3l behind Whatever You Think (12-0) at Tallow 3m ire ptp gs in Feb.
Sharkeys Dream (FR) Dom Alco gelding out of a once-raced mare.
Terreros Dr Fong gelding, half-brother to several winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
Tom's Toybox 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 6f out to chase leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 13l behind Giveusaclue (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Oct.
