led until 2nd, chased leader, not fluent 4th, led 6th until next, weakened 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway under pressure after 8th, every chance approaching 3 out, jumped left thereafter, weakened last
held up towards rear, headway after 8th, close 3rd 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra last
in touch, led 7th, headed 3 out, not much room 2 out, switched left, stayed on same pace last
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway before next, hit 4th, not fluent 6th, dived at 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
took keen hold, soon in mid-division, not clear run on inside after 8th, soon no impression, well behind 3 out, pulled up after
held up in rear, headway after 8th, led and hung badly right from 3 out, driven clear flat
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, tailed off 6th, pulled up after
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, pushed along when mistake 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 4th or 6th, ridden after 8th, headway approaching 3 out, never on terms
in rear, not fluent 4th, behind 7th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
took keen hold, led 2nd, wandered 3rd, headed 6th, weakened after 8th, blundered 2 out
held up in rear, ridden after 8th, never nearer
After a taking victory in selling hurdle last time TABARAN is the choice for us in this timber handicap with fellow last time out winner Parlesotho and the consistent Key Cutter also making the list. A literal reading of the pick's 25 lengths victory last time would suggest he's well treated back in handicap company and with that score the latest of a sequence of good runs he has very chance of following up. Parlesotho is a definite danger though after his own facile success last time. That came in a handicap and it is unlikely that his 7lbs penalty will stop him running a big race. Key Cutter has been running well but has ultimately been well held in recent starts and his mark is still creeping up while Singapore Reef wasn't that far away in a novice handicap last time and off the same mark should be in the mix. Benedict Spirit is only a couple of pounds worse off than when just missing out on his last run so is another for consideration but Tabaran is on top form and is potentially well weighted.
Key Cutter (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 7th, joined by winner 3 out, headed before next, no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Estate (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Parlesotho (FR) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Kijivu (10-5) by 10l, 13 ran.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, took keen hold, blundered 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Magnifico (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 15 ran.
Tabaran (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up in touch, led 8th, clear from 3 out, easily, won at Stratford 2m 6f sell hdl (5) sft in Mar beating Irish Legend (11-2) by 25l, 9 ran.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, hit 4th and lost place, headway to chase winner after 6th until approaching 2 out, 3rd and close enough when blundered last, driven and stayed on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Sonning Star (10-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Screenscraper (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mistake 1st, led narrowly, not fluent 4th, mistake and headed 6th, with leader until lost place and weakened quickly 9th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Vivarini (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Valento 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, fell 3rd, in a race won by Estate (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Brimley 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 1st, soon dropped to rear, not fluent 6th, reminders after 9th, soon tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Latanier (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Singapore Reef (FR) 9-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led between last 2, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, dropped to 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Alhaque (10-9) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd.
Cool Bob (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway on outside 7th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 26l behind Estate (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Highland River 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, disputed lead from 2nd, lost place approaching 6th, 4th and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd between last 2, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Barrel Of Fun (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Enchanted Approach (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) 4th when rn out 7, in a race won by Shernally (11-7) at Garnons 3m ptp in Mar, 8 ran.
Lyster (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Always behind, struggling 7th, tailed off, 9th of 14, 48l behind Hello You (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.