made most, ridden 2 out, headed last, kept on under pressure flat
chased leaders, pushed along 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, challenged last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat
tracked leaders, disputed lead 9th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort on inside between last 2, one pace approaching last
with leaders, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up, outpaced 3 out, weakening when blundered next, pulled up before last
mid-division, effort to chase leaders 3 out, ridden next, led narrowly last, headed flat, kept on
with leaders, lost place 9th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden and one pace approaching last
held up, headway to chase leaders when fell 3 out
in touch, driven and lost place 4 out, weakened from next
chased leaders to 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, lost touch and pulled up before 9th
always behind
mid-division, lost place 9th, no danger after
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon behind, pulled up after 2 out
Grand Bay, Roseneath and Cool Bob should all be involved but KING STANLEY appeals as the type to improve now handicapping over a longer trip. Tom George's string could be in better form which is a cause for concern but there have been some more encouraging signs of late and they may be about to turn the corner. King Stanley has been fairly well held in all three starts but he's bred to get a trip and it would be no surprise to see him improve for this test of stamina. Grand Bay has made the frame in similar contests on his last three starts and may be able to win one of these before the season's out whilst Cool Bob showed his first signs of form for his new yard at Warwick and could be a threat if building on that over this longer trip. Roseneath disappointed at Towcester and is tried in headgear as a result but a case can certainly be made for him on the form of his penultimate start at Carlisle. Papradon, The Hudnalls, Hampton Court and Mr Mackay are others to cast an eye over but King Stanley gets the nod.
Mr Mackay 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tarateeno (10-10) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.
King Stanley (IRE) 80-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place from 6th, 8th of 15, 33l behind Dreamy Sweeney (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Acosta 25-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, soon ridden, every chance 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 10, 43l behind King Ar Aghaidh (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Grand Bay (USA) 6-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway to track leading pair approaching 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd last, ridden last, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Spring Breeze (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Billybo 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened from 7th, tailed off from 3 out, 14th of 15, well behind Dreamy Sweeney (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Cool Bob (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on run-in, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Ready To Crown (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
The Hudnalls (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outside, lost place and reminders 6th, headway 7th, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 17, 31l behind Raise You Five (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Overtly Blue (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Natural Action (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Earcomesthedream (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, reminders at various stages, led after 9th, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 23l behind Tarvini (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Hampton Court 9-2fav (11-1) Close up on inside, hit 4th, led 4 out, jumped left and not fluent next, ridden and already headed, weakened into 5th when mistake 2 out, 4th of 13, 9l behind Minnie Hill (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Gouranga 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 15, 36l behind Victory Surge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Roseneath (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until after 3 out, 7th of 17, 28l behind Raise You Five (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Daarth 33-1 (11-5) Disputed lead 1st, prominent, lost place after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, 37l behind French Leave (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f Conditional Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (4) hvy.
Midnight Ocean 5-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 9th, led 2 out, clear last, edged left flat, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May '08 beating Colinette (10-3) by 12l, 12 ran.
Wujood 9-1 (11-4) Led until ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Canni Thinkaar (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Colwyn Bay (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, weeakened 3 out, pulled up soon after, 12th of 13, well behind Take A Mile (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct '08.
Papradon 11-1 (10-9) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed between last 2, lost 2nd place flat, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Lets Go Girls (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Little Rort (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 4th, behind from next, tailed off, 11th of 15, 50l behind Grave Doubts (11-7) at Towcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
