took keen hold towards rear, hampered 3rd, in rear when fell 8th (water)
chased leaders, fell 3rd
held up towards rear, was pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression after
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, no extra when headed flat
held up, pushed along approaching 11th, ridden approaching 3 out no impression from neck
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
led, hit 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
chasing leaders, challenging when blundered at 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well to lead flat
A race in which most runners are exposed and some not in peak form and the vote goes to Il Capitano over Thyne Will Tell, Canadiane and Fiori. Paul Nicholls' gelding puts in his best efforts on fast ground and over this sort of trip. He jumps well and is usually ridden handily, which will suit around here. He can make his touch of class tell and land this decent prize. Thyne Will Tell has to give the favourite 6lb and that should be too much for him to cope with in this race, but he does love both trip and ground and after a decent break to freshen him up he should still run his race. Fiori was a fast ground handicap chase winner at Hexham last time and is clearly in good heart, however, he does lack a bit of toe and may find a couple too good for him. Meanwhile summer jumping could have been designed specifically with Canadiane in mind. The mare has run well in her share of fast ground contests over the past couple of seasons and is back on a winning mark, but her form has just deserted her lately and she would ideally prefer shorter. So Il Capitano remains the one they all have to beat.