with leaders, led approaching 3 out, driven out
held up and keen, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from next
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened last
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat
in rear, chased leaders 3rd, every chance 2 out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakening when fell heavily 2 out
held up in touch, soon tracking leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
with leaders, pushed along halfway, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
In a race full of exposed handicappers, DONTPAYTHEFERRYMAN is taken to complete a hat-trick, while Percussionist may emerge as the main danger. The Brian Ellison-trained selection relishes plenty of cut in the ground, and carries a 7lb penalty here for winning over a similar trip at Fontwell last time. He was all out that day and so it is possible that this will be a race too far, but he is in such good heart that he may be able to get home in front again. Percussionist has never been as good over the sticks as on the level, but he does stay well and acts with cut in the ground. While his current mark is fair enough he does now need a career best over hurdles to score and we will just oppose. Well Disguised has conditions to suit and she is a genuine sort likely to run her race, although she will probably come up short, while the same comments apply to Sedgefield selling winner Planetarium. Cassius may be better for his reappearance run and should be competitive from this mark, so with conditions to suit he is respected, but Dontpaytheferryman is the one for us.
Percussionist (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, led last, ran on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr beating The Shy Man (11-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 3-1fav (9-13) Chased leaders, headway to chase leader before 2 out, led flat, driven out and held on near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy beating Tullamore Dew (11-5) by nk, 12 ran.
Soubriquet (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Always behind, 8th of 14, 20l behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Well Disguised (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Held up in touch, good headway on outer approaching 3 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Izita Star (10-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Apr.
Cassius (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up behind, headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, ridden flat, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Still At Lunch (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Planetarium 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd beating Golden Globe (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Solis (GER) 5-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 43l behind Bivouac (10-12) at Kelso 2m hcp chs 0-105 (5) gs.
Always Best 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 15, 14l behind Etoile d'Or (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
