held up towards rear, struggling fourth, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden and headed near finish
held up in touch, effort 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, always travelling well, chased leader approaching 2 out, hard ridden and stayed on well to lead near finish
held up, pulled hard, headway four out, stayed on same pace
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened
held up, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
Pirandello can add to his course and distance success to beat Demi Beau, Bound, Island Stream and Minster Glory. Pirandello has been in good form since returning from his summer break, and gained his second course win 19 days ago when rousted up to get home by J P McNamara. A slight rise in the weights should not stop him at this level, and he should go close to adding to his tally. Demi Beau, a useful horse on the flat, looked one to follow after making a successful debut over timber at Kempton, but disappointed in two runs subsequently. His trainer remains convinced that he can go to the top, so it would be unwise to rule him out on his first run back. Bound is going to be big danger based on his effort at Market Rasen recently. Lucy Wadham's five-year-old was 12 lengths clear and cruising when coming to grief at the last, and providing that has not left its mark, he should go well despite being reassessed. Island Stream also failed to get round last time, coming a cropper at the first flight when fancied at Leicester. He beat the favourite Cristoforo at Kempton the time before, so is another for the short-list. Minster Glory has been in terrific form but was beaten by a well-handicapped rival at Catterick. He can make his presence felt as well in a very competitive affair. Pirandello gets the vote, but Bound is worth chancing each-way as well.
