keen, never dangerous
held up, mistakes, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, one pace
led, headed briefly 3rd, headed 7th, led again after 4 out, headed 3 out and weakened 2 out
mid-division, weakening when mistake 8th
in rear, effort 4 out, weakening when blundering 2 out
with leader, led briefly 3rd, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
held up, steady headway 7th, chased winner and every chance 2 out, ridden approaching last, not quicken flat
tracked leaders, led 7th, headed 4 out, led again 3 out, challenged flat, kept on
Green Gamble has been hammered for his two recent successes and we prefer the chances of Le Burf. There's not a great deal to choose between the majority of the remainder. The selection has run well in the face of some stiff tasks this season but has had his sights lowered of late and has taken advantage. With his market rival failing to complete, he may not have had a great deal to beat at Exeter but the handicapper has taken a chance in raising him by only 2lbs. Green Gamble, in contrast, has been harshly dealt with as he's now 20lbs higher than when winning in February. That has forced his connections into stepping him up in grade and he can be taken on. Cases can be made for a number of the opposition but none are particularly compelling and we fancy Le Burf to take this one.
Some Timbering (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, weakened from 9th, hit 4 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Dictum (11-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan '07, 6 ran.
Le Burf (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 8th, clear 4 out, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs beating Cava Bien (10-9) by 8l, 8 ran.
Brave Villa (FR) 7-2 (10-4) Led, soon clear, ridden after 3 out, headed and hit last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Oceanos des Obeaux (11-12) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 85-40fav (10-7) Tracked leader, hit 4th, led 4 out, headed last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Ela Re (11-7) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Mibleu (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Led, mistake 8th, headed after next, weakening when fell 3 out in race won by Gentle John (10-10) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gd, 5 ran.
Beau Torero (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Led to 6th, oupaced from 4 out, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Spiritual Society (11-1) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Feb.
Romany Dream 13-2 (10-5) Held up in touch, mistake 4th, chased leaders 12th, ridden 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd beating Paxford Jack (9-13) by 6l, 5 ran.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Towards rear, closer in moderate 7th approaching 5 out, slight mistake next, soon no impression under pressure, kept on without threatening, 4th of 10, 18l behind Air of Confusion (9-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Aug.
Green Gamble 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ran on, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Thievery (11-0) by 11l, 9 ran.
