held up towards rear on inner, in rear and pushed along before 5th, pulled up after 4 out
in rear, jumped slow 2nd, headway 5th to go mid-division, went 4th 3 out, weakened from 2 out
led, ridden before 2 out, headed last 100 yards, kept on
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on to lead last 100 yards
in touch in 4th, weakened before 3out
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up
held up mid-division, headway before 5th, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up
held up mid-division, headway to track leaders before 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden before next, kept on
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last
Plenty in with a chance here but A BRIDGE TOO FAR is the least exposed and has shown plenty of potential in winning two of his three starts in novice company. Donald McCain's charge ran out an easy winner over these fixed brush hurdles last month and is taken to make a winning handicap debut. Havingotascoobydo won twice at Ludlow last month and will need to show further progress off a 12lb higher mark, while Ultravox was all out to score at Ascot recently and he too has more on his plate today. Top Smart is upped in class, but Pure Faith and Tiptoeaway have claims in an open contest.
Pure Faith (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in 4th, went 2nd after 7th, led 3 out, went left 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd beating William Hogarth (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Havingotascoobydo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway after 8th, challenged approaching 3 out, soon led, steadied into last, edged left and driven clear flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Troubletimestwo (10-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
A Bridge Too Far (IRE) 2-5fav (11-8) Made all and jumped right throughout, clear before 3 out, ran on strongly, eased final 100 yards, won at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Solis (10-12) by 13l, 5 ran.
Ultravox (USA) 6-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led narrowly before 4 out, kept slight advantage, joined and pressed 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, won at Ascot 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd beating Jubail (10-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Black Phantom (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division in touch, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, never on terms, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Roalco De Farges (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Tiptoeaway (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Tracked clear leader and keen, not fluent 4 out, led after 3 out, clear before last, eased final 100 yards, won at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Lua De Itapoan (10-9) by 5l, 6 ran.
Wild Desert (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Led and set strong pace, headed approaching 2 out, faded, 8th of 14, 43l behind Master Fiddle (11-6) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) gd in Mar.
Top Smart 9-5fav (11-7) Tracked, led approaching 8th, driven clear approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf beating Knocklayde Vic (11-12) by 4l, 5 ran.
Niceonefrankie 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 7th, ridden after 8th, no impression on leaders 2 out, plugged on from last, 5th of 9, 16l behind Havingotascoobydo (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Dark Ranger 12-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon under pressure, staying on when left in 3rd and hampered by loose horse at last, never nearer, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Fujin Dancer (10-6) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
