lead, ridden 3 out, all out when headed final 100 yards
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 8
held up rear, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, driven for headway 7th to chase leaders, weakening when poor 5th and unseated rider 2 out
held up in touch, ridden to chase leader 3 out, switched right 2 out, ran on well to lead final 100 yards
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, headway next, ridden to chase leaders soon after, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th to track leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
in touch, ridden to chased leaders 6th, mistake next, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders until driven and lost place 6th, soon well behind
With his stable in good form, Amicelli gets the call here ahead of Odagh Odyssey, Musally, Cullian and Bude. The selection has shown reasonable form in three hurdling runs, particularly last time when staying on over this trip at Newbury. Much as a rating of 109 for his handicap debut seems a little high, his useful rider takes off a useful seven pounds and that could make the difference. Odagh Odyssey is another to consider as he has been running pretty well of late and is certainly well handicapped on his winter 2001 form. Taking into consideration his good rider's allowance, Gabla is back to a winning mark, although he has shown very little in four runs since. Musally is the sole course and distance winner in the line-up and, although rated 13 pounds higher than for that success, has run well from around his current mark since. Cullian is also not too far from a winning mark now, a similar comment applying to course winner Bude. Overall, then, in what is quite a tight little affair, we will side with Amicelli.