with leader, hit 1st and 3rd, led after last, driven out
tracked leaders in 4th, weakened 3 out
made most until headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, struggling from 6th, hit next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, led approaching 3 out, headed flat, no extra
held up towards rear, hit 8th, not fluent and outpaced 5 out, headway approaching 3 out, no impression when hit last
towards rear, hit 8th, ridden after 5 out, weakened approaching 2 out
With Ferdy Murphy's team in decent form we will take mudlark TIDAL FURY to land this, while Sa Suffit and Almaydan are much respected. The old boy Almaydan has been a fine servant to Richard Lee, and he produced a career-best at the age of 11 to win a similar soft ground contest at Doncaster in January. Conditions and trip are ideal for him but he will need another mighty effort to win this first time back and is just likely to need the run. Sa Suffit has gone up 10lbs since running second to Chief Dan George at Kelso when last seen in March, but he is dropped back to this trip now, and he had previously romped home on soft ground at Hexham over a similar distance, so he has to be taken seriously today. Saphir Des Bois has plenty to find with Sa Suffit based on their running here behind The Vicar in February, while mud lover Calatagan looks well handicapped but does prefer Wetherby, and is not that easy to win with. Cast Iron Casey will need to improve, while Coach Lane will relish conditions and is fairly treated, although doesn't appear in love with the game at present. That leads us to Tidal Fury. Every one of his nine career wins have come on soft or heavy ground, and this trip is ideal. He was last seen winning at Uttoxeter in February and he goes well fresh, so those ingredients can produce further success today.
Sa Suffit (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Close up, led 4th until 9th, led again 12th, ridden approaching last, headed after last and soon not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Chief Dan George (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov stks (2) gd in Mar.
Calatagan (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, driven and outpaced between last 2, stayed on to lead after last, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Albanov (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gs.
Almaydan 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Mibleu (9-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Tidal Fury (IRE) 15-8 (10-2) Held up in last, went 3rd 5th, took narrow lead 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Kingham (9-11) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Saphir Des Bois (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Led to 8th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, 29l behind Rathcor (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, weakened 2 out, 8th of 11, 32l behind Echo Point (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Coach Lane 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until weakened 8th, tailed off, 8th of 10, 41l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy.
