led to after 3rd, tracked leader, led again 3 out, not fluent and headed last, ridden and one pace flat
in touch, driven to chase leading pair after 3 out, ridden next, 2 lengths down in 3rd and staying on same pace when fell last
in rear, reminders and struggling 4th, 5th and beaten when mistake 2 out, never on terms
held up in touch, lost place 4th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, left moderate 3rd last
pulled hard, held up until headway to lead after 3rd, headed 3 out, soon lost place, weakened next
raced keenly, tracked leader, went 2nd 3 out, led last, ridden and stayed on flat
held up in touch, blundered and rider lost iron 5th, soon driven and outpaced, jumped left 3 out, weakened next
ROODOLPH can give weight and a beating to his opponents today, while Blue Spartan looks next best and both Iron Man Of Mersey and Cool The Heels are interesting. The selection relishes this ground and has been the most consistent of this lot since racing under rules, winning a maiden hurdle at Hereford, which was sandwiched between two runner-up efforts. If he can reproduce either of his last two runs then it should be good enough to win. Blue Spartan is 7lbs better off with our pick, but finished 22 lengths behind him at Hereford and it is asking a lot to expect him to turn the tables. Iron Man Of Mersey is rated in the 50s on the Flat, and he ran a nice enough debut over hurdles here recently. He may be able to produce more at the second time of asking and his yard does well in these smaller contests, so he is one to note in the market. Cool The Heels makes his hurdling debut and Emma Lavelle will probably get him tuned up to win a race or two, but preference today is for Roodolph.
Roodolph 85-40 (11-5) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd or 4th, chased winner 2 out, unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Clerk's Choice (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Blue Spartan (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, effort to chased leaders 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, ridden next, never on terms, 4th of 9, 22l behind Roodolph (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Cool The Heels (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 43l behind Inch Lodge (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol (flat).
Mulaazem 20-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, driven along and struggling 5th, tailed off 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan '09.
Shake On It 80-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pulled hard early, never dangerous, last of 6, well behind Sacrilege (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Freedom Fire (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, some modest headway after 5th, struggling after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mille Chief (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Iron Man of Mersey (FR) 66-1 (10-3) Mistake 1st, held up mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, mistake last, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 14l behind Clerk's Choice (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Chalice Welcome 7-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, hampered by winner jumping right at 2nd and unseated rider, in a race won by Moonstreaker (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf, 6 ran.
