held up towards rear, headway before 6th, weakened next, pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, jumped slowly 6th, headway 4 out, chased winner after next, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out, pulled up 2 out
led until before 6th, soon lost place, pulled up 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened after 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
held up, headway 6th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, mistake 3rd, behind when pulled up before 6th
jumped well, tracked leader, led before 6th, clear after 2nd last, ran on well
held up in rear, mistake 5th, pulled up 3 out
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon weakened
Rajeh has a penalty here but his form looks really solid and so John Spearing's gelding is taken to score ahead of Gauvain and Poker Queen. The selection is not bomb-proof as he steps up to this trip for the first time but he wasn't beaten far last time out in a better race and with improvement to come from this classy flat-performer, he is taken to oblige. Gauvain returns from a Summer break but he showed plenty of ability in three starts last season and will not mind if the rain falls. Silver Mont and Smart John could improve after just one hurdles start, although neither was much cop on the flat. Of more interest may be Swordsman who travels over from Germany again; he ran well at the track last time out in a decent race and has claims. Poker Queen shaped with promise on her hurdling debut at Towcester and may well be suited by this step up in trip, however Rajeh looks the one to beat.
Rajeh (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Keen hold, held up towards rear, steady headway from 4th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, challenged last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, nk behind Platin Grounds (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Gauvain (GER) 8-1 (11-2) Mistake 1st, mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, driven upsides and every chance 2 out, chased winner after but no impression, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Carlitos (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Grooms Affection 10-1 (8-1) Started very slowly, chased leaders after 3f, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 23l behind Llamadas (7-6) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar '06 (Flat).
Littleton Aldor (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Keen, led approaching 1st, headed 3rd, soon lost touch and pulled up 4 out in race won by Grave Doubts (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gd, 18 ran.
Merchant Red (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 2nd, hit 6th, mistake 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 13, 16l behind Ouzbeck (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) (9-10) Prominent, kept on well, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Palypso De Creek (9-10) at Paray-Le-monial 1m 4f stk gd in Sept '06 (Flat).
Silver Mont (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 6th, stayed on from 3 out, no danger, 5th of 13, 20l behind Ouzbeck (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Smart John 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 16, 28l behind Breedsbreeze (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Stunning Magic 100-1 (10-5) Held up, weakened from 4th, 13th of 14, well behind Presentandcorrect (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Swordsman (GER) 3-1 (10-12) Prominent, joined leaders 4 out, every chance from next, soon hard ridden, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mexican Bob (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Twenti Twenti (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Keen, behind, headway after 3f, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 32l behind Cheer Us On (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr '06.
Classic Hall (IRE) 100-1 (9-6) Led until ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Tropical Strait (9-11) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) pol in Sept (Flat).
Poker Queen 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hampered after 2nd, headway when mistake 5th, every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 10l behind Castlecrossings (10-3) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Winds of Change 20-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, mid-division, beaten approaching 3 out, 4th of 13, 22l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
