held up towards rear, ridden 5th, weakened next
in rear, ridden and weakened 5th
chased leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always in rear, not fluent, weakened 4 out
chased leading quartet, improved 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, never near leaders
held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, improved 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, chased winner last, no impression flat
led until ridden and headed approaching 2 out
close up, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, ridden out
close up, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
Iffy gets a narrow vote over Valance, with Tamreen, Cool Roxy and Hilltime just three likely dangers in an open contest. Iffy appeared rather unfortunate at Stratford last time, as Robert Thornton had to switch him to the outside on the run-in, the pair in the end going down narrowly to Orpen Wide. He had won two of his four previous starts in the manner of a progressive sort, and although creeping up the weights, has enough scope to cope. Valance will line up fit after lowering the colours of the odds-on Warsaw Pact on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, but he was fortunate to score over fences at Ludlow last October when the leader fell at the last. However, he has a light enough weight here and is respected. Gary Moore saddles two here, with preference for Tamreen who may have finished closer than fourth at Bangor had he not been hampered. His stablemate Alrafid was half-a-length behind Castleshane at Plumpton but re-opposes on 5lb better terms, so should have that one's measure at least, while of the rest, recent winners Cool Roxy and Hilltime both have their fare share of weight. Iffy was unlucky last time, and is taken to make amends.
Specular (AUS) 40-1 (11-5) Held up, towards rear, headway 5th, effort 7th, soon lost place, tailed off 2 out, last of 12, well behind Aleron (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Cool Roxy 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, led before 3rd, clear 6th, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m beg chs (4) gf in May beating Serbelloni (11-0) by 5l, 7 ran.
Hilltime (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led after 4 out, pushed out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gd in Sept beating Cream Cracker (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tamreen (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakening when left 3rd briefly, hampered 2 out, 4th of 11, 32l behind Lord Henry (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Alrafid (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, hard ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, ran on under pressure flat, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Creinch (10-13) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Iffy 2-1fav (11-2) In touch, hampered on inside after 3 out, soon switched right and challenged, led 2 out, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Orpen Wide (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Castleshane (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led, headed soon after 3 out, chasing winner when hung left and hit 2 out, soon no impression, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Creinch (10-13) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Valance (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Led to 2nd, tracked leader until led again and mistake 4 out, beaten when left in lead last, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf beating Forever Dream (11-0) by 14l, 10 ran.
