held up, headway 7th, led approaching 3 out, clear when mistake next, easily
tracked leaders, led briefly approaching 6th, ridden next, weakened 4 out
led, headed after 2nd, ridden 8th, soon weakened
held up, 4th and no chance when pecked 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, led after 2nd, headed and mistake 6th, weakened next
behind, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, no chance when blundered last
tracked leaders, ridden 8th, soon weakened
Commanche General sprung a surprise when scoring over this trip at Market Rasen a month ago and John Panvert's gelding has more to do here off a 6lb higher mark. Oliver Sherwood's Roxby Explorer ran better than of late when chasing home We'Ll Make It at Folkestone last month but may not appreciate the longer trip here. Brady Boys, who is better on a softer surface anyway, will find this harder than the Taunton novice event he won on his latest start over hurdles and more solid claims are held by Alan King's Lord Nellsson, who should appreciate the return to a faster surface having failed to get home under testing conditions at Sandown behind Tana River. The selection though is the Ian Williams-trained Hirapour. A fair performer on the flat with Amanda Perrett, the son of Kahyasi has taken time to get the hand of the winter game but has shown improvement with each start. The seven-year-old has ground conditions to suit, the trip should be ideal and, off what looks a favourable mark, he is taken to give trainer Ian Williams another winner.
