with leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on
held up and not fluent, ridden to chase winner approaching last, not run on
led, mistake 2nd, headed 4th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
Grimshaw may just get the better of Spandau in a tight little affair, with Dante's Battle and Danzig Prince not entirely out of it either. The fact that Grimshaw has a course and distance victory to his credit will help his cause as will the fact that he has the assistance of Tony McCoy. The eight-year-old was successful on the Flat for Henry Cecil five years ago, but then had a long spell of hurdling in Ireland before moving back over in the summer. He lined up in a conditional jockeys' event here three weeks ago, fancied to make the most of a lenient looking mark, and did not disappoint under Alan O'Keefe. This race is tougher but there is plenty more to come and he should make a bold bid to follow up. Spandau landed a touch at Newton Abbot recently but was narrowly beaten at Bangor last time. it is debatable whether there is any improvement in him at the age of nine, but if the market speaks in his favour, take note. Ex-Irish Dante's Battle has topweight but has been in form of late. His two wins came in selling grade though and he has it to do, while at the other end of the scale, Danzig Prince lines up receiving weight and years off his opponents, and has the scope to pick up a race or two judged on his plucky effort at Uttoxeter where he kept tabs on the leaders for quite a while in the first-time visor. In a trappy contest, Grimshaw gets the vote.
