held up, headway after 3f, chased winner next, kept on no extra
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next
always behind
held up in touch, headway 4th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led next, all out
held up in touch, headway 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened
led 1st, remained prominent, led again approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, pulled hard, headway 4 out, chased leader approaching 3 out, driven to challenge next, weakened approaching last
led after 1st, headed approaching 4th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out
held up, headway 2 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace
The shortlist contains Artane Boys, Feanor, Tiger Frog, Keep On Movin' and Felix The Fox, with the vote going to Artane Boys. Artane Boys is rarely out of the money these days, has competed well from around his current mark and, with his stable in better health this time around, holds a decent shout again. Feanor is not far above a winning mark now and has been running well of late, so is considered. As a course and distance winner, Tiger Frog, who is now just two pounds above a winning mark, comes into it, while Mexican Pete won his novice event here, but he hasn't really built on that yet over hurdles. Keep On Movin' has shown promise and hails from a good Flat yard, so gets a mention, while Forzacurity is dropping to a more realistic mark now. My Galliano seems a bit better over chases these days, but is not a forlorn hope, while the lightly-raced Felix The Fox showed promise last time and the drop in trip could bring more, and Olimpo is steadily improving, although he might not want to to see any rain. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Artane Boys.
Artane Boys 7-1 (10-11) Held up, not jump well, headway on bit approaching 3 out, ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, ran on but not pace of winner, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Monticelli (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
Golden Chalice (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Always behind, 8th of 9, 26l behind Xellance (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jun.
Feanor 9-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, no progress from 2 out, 4th of 13, 11l behind Sterling Guarantee (11-3) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Tiger Frog (USA) 10-3 (11-8) In touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, 4th of 7, 8l behind Caliban (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
Keep On Movin' (IRE) 15-8 (10-11) Chased winner, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Catchthebug (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Jul.
My Galliano (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up, took closer order approaching 8th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, left 4th 2 out, 4th of 9, 46l behind French Direction (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Felix The Fox (NZ) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 9l behind Outside Investor (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hdl (G) gf.
Olimpo (FR) 5-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, ran on well from last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Space Cowboy (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gf.
