raced keenly, held up, headway 3 out, quickened to lead flat, pushed clear readily
led, headed between last 2, edged right and no extra flat
tracked leaders, led between last 2, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace
behind, outpaced 5 out, no danger after tailed off
raced keenly, held up, ridden 3 out, no impression when edge right flat
behind, struggling 3 out, beaten when blundered next
mid-division, reminders 5th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders to 3 out, weakened next
in touch, effort and every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on until no extra flat
close up on outside, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Gray Mountain faces tougher company today and has a double penalty so we will take him on with PAGAN STARPRINCESS ahead of No Panic. The last-named is interesting as he returns to this isle after a trip across the Irish Sea to Galway for two runs at the festival. He ran two fair races and must be respected back in easier company; rated 132 he is the one to beat on official ratings however he may struggle to give 12lbs to the 126-rated Pagan Starprincess. George Moore's filly was in the process of running a fine race behind Binocular at Aintree in April when she fell at the last, and then ran a fair race at Ayr behind La Vecchia Scuola. She handles this ground well and looks to have a good season ahead of her. Political Paddy has shown ability but would probably prefer rain and a slightly stiffer test, so a bigger danger could be Gray Mountain who has done well for the yard since coming across from America. King Barry is hit-and-miss, whilst Ferdy Murphy has a strong hand with Pistol Basc and Rich Lord, of which the former is making his British debut. A decent Intermediate Hurdle, where Pagan Starprincess can shine.
Gray Mountain (USA) 7-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and led approaching last, driven out, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Recovery Man (11-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
King Barry (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, lost place from 13th, 8th of 11, well behind Mighty Fine (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul '07.
No Panic (IRE) 9-2fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent jumping, 8th after halfway, 7th and no extra last, 7th of 18, 20l behind P'tit Fute (10-7) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gs in Aug.
Pistol Basc (FR) (10-12) 2nd of 12, nk behind Star De Marans (10-8) at Enghien 2m 1f 3yo chs gs in Nov.
Rich Lord 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, in touch when stumbled and fell 3 out in race won by Schelm (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Hickory Lane 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, beaten when hit next, 8th of 14, 44l behind Classic Moon (11-0) at Perth 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Masters House (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Always behind, 12th of 14, well behind Noble Alan (11-5) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Political Paddy 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on approaching last, ran on well flat, 4th of 12, 20l behind Andrew Nick (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Pagan Starprincess 9-1 (11-8) Towards rear, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 9, 9l behind La Vecchia Scuola (11-12) at Ayr 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Buzz Sauvage (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Prominent to halfway, soon behind, 11th of 13, 42l behind Sharevar (11-3) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Castleroche (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Behind, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 32l behind Andrew Nick (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
