tracked leaders, hit 10th, soon outpaced, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace, no impression
led, headed 5th, led again 7th, headed after 11th, ridden after 3 out, not fluent last, kept on
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 7th, led again 11th, kept on well from 2 out
held up in rear, joined leaders 8th, ridden and every chance after 4 out
Smiths Landing gets the vote over Isard III, with the enigmatic Vodka Bleu not entirely out of it. The latter has been costly to follow in the past, but has had one or two going days this season, so it would be no surprise if Timmy Murphy were to coax him home, but preference is for the in-form Smiths Landing whose stable is in good heart at present. The seven-year-old has not done a lot wrong since being put over fences, with two easy successes at Worcester earlier in the season. His tendency to jump to the right will not matter here, and he has been saved with this race in mind, having had a break since June to be prepared. Martin Pipe's Isard III did not beat much at Bangor and did tend to make the odd mistake, so is worth opposing, while Mr Nemo, who likes to force the pace, is there to be shot down, and the one doing the shooting on this occasion should be Smiths Landing who looks a useful staying chaser in the making.
