in touch in main group, chased leader 6, limped just after 3 out, soon ridden, moved left and headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway through main group after 4, went 2nd just after 3 f out, led and straight 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear flat
mid-division, ridden and struggling after 6, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 7, ridden and weakened after 7, tailed off and pulled up before 2 f out
led and soon well clear, hit 4th, not fluent 3 f out, soon headed and weakened
held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden and weakened after 7th
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 7th, chased leading pair after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
in touch in main group, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, lost touch 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
chased clear leader until 6th, weaekend before next
The finish looks likely to be fought out by the three last time out winners, Helpston, Toby Belch and BENSALEM, with marginal preference for the last mentioned. Alan King's gelding, a winner of an Irish point-to-point on his only start between the flags, made a winning start to his rules career when landing a Sandown bumper before impressing on his first start over hurdles when taking a novice event at Chepstow. A reproduction of form shown that day may well suffice for the five-year-old. Bumper winner Time For Rupert disappointed on his hurdling debut and looks probably best watched, while Portside looks the clear second best of Alan King's two runners in the race. Pam Sly's Helpston was good value for his win here last time and has to be considered along with Henry Daly's Toby Belch but he is not certain to appreciate the drop in trip today and a better bet looks to be Bensalem.
Toby Belch (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased leader after 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Barnhill Brownie (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bensalem (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up, mistake 5th, steady headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating King of Atlantis (10-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
Blinded Bythelight (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Behind, mistakes 2nd and 3rd and pulled up at the 5th in race won by Porters War (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
O'Sogood (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Great Endeavour (11-8) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Pelennor (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened from 5th, 3rd of 5, well behind Squadron (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4yo hdl (2) sft in Oct.
Portside (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, reminder 5th, hit next, weakened 7th, 5th of 9, well behind Helpston (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Vagrant Emperor (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up, behind, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 22l behind Somersby (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Avon Court 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 20, 32l behind Madame Mado (10-12) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Radical Gunner Gunner B mare out of Radical Lady.
Silver Missile 200-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 11th of 14, well behind Circus Rose (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs.
Helpston 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, not fluent 7th, led 3 out, mistake last, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Lake Legend (11-6) by 4l, 9 ran.
Time For Rupert (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch to 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 16, 25l behind Copper Bleu (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
