took keen hold early and soon with leader until weakened quickly after 3 out
pulled hard and held up in rear, headway after 3 out, effort and mistake 2 out, soon outpaced
led, hit 5th, mistake 3 out, soon headed, one pace and held before 2 out
tracked leading pair, disputed lead 2 out, led approaching last, headed flat, rallied near finish, just held
held up, mistake 4th, weakened after 5th, blundered 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead flat, just held on
took keen hold in touch, blundered 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, mistake last
jumped poorly, pulled hard and close up, weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, some headway 5th, driven and weakened quickly after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, led narrowly after 3 out, joined 2 out, soon ridden, every chance last, no extra flat
jumped poorly in rear, driven 6th, tailed off when fell last
in touch until weakened after 3 out, no chance when mistake next
took keen hold in mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden 5th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
Not the easiest of races to get a reliable handle on the worth of form shown to date in this sphere but Space Cowboy hails from a yard that are flying at present and the four-year-old son of Anabaa is given the nod over Croix De Guerre and Late Claim, who hold the edge out of the rest with hurdles experience. Whereas moves for any of Chockdee, Ma Furie along with Glencoyle or Samandara should be noted with interest as the betting warms up. However, Space Cowboy, who sports blinkers for the first time today, put in a very respectable effort when finishing fifth behind Tusk over course and distance last month - form which the winner emphatically upheld when winning at Sandown last week. The selection, a winner over 10 furlongs at Goodwood for Amanda Perrett, has a useful turn of foot on his day will also benefit from the assistance of Tony McCoy for this afternoon's task. The champion jockey has already partnered Space Cowboy to a fair second at Newbury earlier in the season and will know just what is required to keep his mount focused as the race unfolds. Croix De Guerre is an obvious alternative as this former inmate of Sir Mark Prescott's has already shown signs of ability for his new yard since switching codes. However, he does not look to be the easiest of rides and Richard Johnson will have to earn his fee if the gelding decides to be uncooperative again. Therefore, Chockdee, another French import for Paul Nicholls, could be the one to watch out for at a fair price this afternoon. Nicholls does very well with this sort of runner and any hints from the betting market should be taken for those willing to sway away from Space Cowboy.
