held up in rear, mistake 7th, ridden and effort before 9th, never on terms, weakened soon after, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, not fluent 8th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, jumped left 6th, lost touch before 8th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, pushed along after 3rd, driven 9th, outpaced 3 out, well held before next
keen early, led until after 2nd, not fluent and led again 4th, mistake 3 out, drew clear from next, stayed on well, comfortably
held up, headway approaching 8th, every chance 3 out, no impression from next
reluctant to line up, reminder after 1st, led after next until 4th, lost place next, well behind before 8th, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, mistake and ridden 8th, hit next, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
The usual long distance handicap hurdle on the card in which Minella Bliss would have been the choice on the basis of form on two of his last three runs but there must be a concern about his ability to deal with this trip on the forecast soft ground. Carmela Maria is another possible but although 3m2f on soft ground may appear a demanding ask for a four-year-old will just four runs on the board, we will row in with AMBERJAM. Martin Smith's gelding is improving steadily with his racing and had no problem last time with 3m3f around Fontwell when runner-up to American Life in a similar contest. He can build on that solid run and post a first success over timber. Elegant Olive has four career wins to her name, all at this track, so she has to be worth a check in the market although her most recent efforts have been low-key.
Elegant Olive 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, no chance when mistake 2 out, never involved, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Giveitachance (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Rising Teal 12-1 (10-8) Held up, dropped to rear 8th, outpaced next and not a factor after, 5th of 9, 34l behind Stags Leap (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Agesilas (FR) 4-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, in rear after 5th when unseated rider off, in a race won by Funky Munky (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Flemi Two Toes (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, 46l behind American Life (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy.
Amberjam (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Close up on outside, effort when not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner before last, ridden and stayed on when hard pressed for 2nd flat, 2nd of 8, 16l behind American Life (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy.
Minella Bliss (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Chased leaders, fell 3rd, in a race won by Vujiyama (11-6) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Carmela Maria 14-1 (10-5) Reluctant to line up, early reminders in rear, ridden along almost throughout, stayed on past beaten horses fom 2 out, modest 4th between last two, 4th of 11, 24l behind Giveitachance (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Kingscombe (USA) 16-1 (10-8) Took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along and no progress 3 out, 10th of 11, 31l behind Nebula Storm (10-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
