chased leaders, led 4th, ridden approaching last, ridden clear flat
behind, headway 6th, chased winner 3 out, ridden and mistake last, no impression
mid-division, weakened from 6th
led to 3rd, weakened quickly 6th, pulled up before next
behind, headway 7th, in 3rd and beaten when unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 2 out
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, some headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders until ridden and lost place 6th
always towards rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out
A market move for course and distance winner Cottam Grange would be of interest but Mick Easterby's gelding is hardly the best handicapped horse in the field and a chance is taken with Jorobaden, who is preferred to Wise Tale. The last mentioned has a fitness advantage over his main rivals but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for his consistency and he may be best left alone. Charlie Mann's Nathos should strip fitter for his recent return at Fontwell and has to be considered along with Hopbine, although lack of a recent run for him is of concern. Little Task showed improved form at Uttoxeter last time and has claims on that evidence but a better bet may be Jorobaden, who lacks a recent run but comes from a yard that has produced a couple of runners to win on their reappearance, has the assistance of a promising conditional and is potentially well treated.
Jorobaden (FR) 33-1 (9-12) Always behind, 18th of 20, well behind Genghis (10-13) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Apr.
Nathos (GER) 11-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, slightly hampered 2 out, left 3rd last, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, well behind Fait Le Jojo (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, weakened after 7th, 8th of 9, well behind Broken Knights (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Apr.
Cottam Grange 3-1jt-fav (10-7) Held up in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Almnadia (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in May.
Hopbine 6-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression from last, 2nd of 11, 21l behind Beseiged (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Jun.
Ramblees Holly 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 9th of 10, 23l behind Mr Mischief (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Wise Tale 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, effort next, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Penteli (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Little Task 5-1fav (9-10) Mid-division, hit 3rd, headway after 8th, went 2nd 11th, ridden 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Irishkawa Bellevue (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
