in touch, went 2nd 7th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, not quicken flat
mid-division, ridden and lost place approaching 5th, soon blehind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, headway 7th, weakened 9th
in touch, hampered and lost bend after 2nd, soon behind
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and jumped left 3 out, soon weakened, no chance when jumped left last
in touch, hit 3rd, weakened and hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
behind, reminders 1st, headway 7th, mistake 8th, weakened next
led to approaching 4th, led again 6th, driven out
prominent, ridden after 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, pushed along after 9th, weakened 4 out
Not a great handicap chase and we will take a chance on Arctic Spirit who has been given a bit of a chance by the handicapper, with Midnight Gold, Caribbean Cove and Anatar also considered. The selection is 4lb lower than when landing a good ground Towcester handicap chase in December 2004 and although this extra two furlongs may stretch his stamina both the ground and this much easier track should see him get home. Midnight Gold took a Stratford novices' handicap two starts ago but looked fully exposed in handicap company last time and needs to improve. Caribbean Cove can be competitive off this mark but is better on slightly easier ground than this, while Anatar is very interesting in first-time blinkers and off a mark 5lb lower than his most recent hurdles outing and 11lb lower than his last chasing start. With his yard having winners he is much respected and can go very close, but we just prefer Arctic Spirit for a trainer who does well here.
Midnight Gold 4-1fav (11-4) In touch, ridden in close 3rd when stumbled on bend approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 12, 17l behind Barren Lands (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Anatar (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, with leader after 5th, led 7th, ridden and mistake 8th, headed soon after, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 11l behind Smilingvalentine (9-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Caribbean Cove (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Always behind, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, blundered last, last of 5, 21l behind Haafel (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Broke Road (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led to 5th, mistake 6th, led again 7th to 4 out, soon ridden and hung left, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Tagar (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in May.
Arctic Spirit 33-1 (10-13) With leader, led 2nd until hit 6th, chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Papillon de Iena (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Mill Bank (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Led 2nd, pecked 6th, headed 8th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 18, 15l behind Blazing Batman (9-9) at Chepstow 3m sll hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Colmcille (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, well behind Twentytwosilver (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Auditor 20-1 (9-12) Held up in mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 37l behind Appach (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
