in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up and keen, tracked leaders after 3 out, weakened after next
led, headed approaching 1st, in touch, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed last, not quicken
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 1st, headed 3rd, pushed along when weakened 7th, tailed off
in touch, tracked leaders 3rd, led last, driven out
This handicap should be very competitive with Orion Express, Urban Tiger and MR ROBERT expected to fight it out at the front and it is the last mentioned that we side with. The Evan Williams-trained gelding comes into this contest in great heart after winning his last two outing over hurdles. One of those victories was over course and distance and another victory here for the in form eight-year-old looks likely. His main rival is expected to be Orion Express who has won three of his last four outings over the jumps. He was pulled up two starts but showed now ill effects from that experience when winning at Newton Abbot last time. Tim Vaughan's Urban Tiger should also do well here. The gelding hasn't finished outside the minors at the last five attempts but he does find winning difficult.
Mr Robert (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, effort between last 2, stayed on strongly flat to lead near finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Dead Or Alive (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Hi Dancer 11-8 (10-12) Chased leaders, chased winner from 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten after 2 out, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Bow School (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Orion Express 5-1 (11-3) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, pushed clear easily, won at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun beating Kisha King (10-9) by 4l, 10 ran.
Pokanoket (IRE) 15-8 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Mr Robert (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Urban Tiger (GER) 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, hung left and headed last, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Shiwawa (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Tickateal 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, hit 5th, soon pushed along, behind from next, tailed off, 16th of 18, dis behind Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Intersky Music (USA) 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Runaround Sue (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Bob Mountain (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 10th, effort 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 13l behind Cava Bien (10-6) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May '08.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 11-4fav (10-2) Chased leaders, led 5th, headed 3 out, soon driven, took 2nd a furlong out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Currahee (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
