chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, soon no chance with winner
made all, clear 2 out, very easily
held up in touch, ridden and headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, mistakes 1st and 4th, ridden after 6th, behind and pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened
held up last, some headway approaching 7th, no impression after
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
This trip should take some getting in the rain softened ground and we'll side with out-and-out stayer Coolnagorna and Tony McCoy on this occasion. Jonjo O'Neill's horse really knuckled down under Tony Dobbin at Sandown when strongly challenged by Thisthatantother and the extra couple of furlongs should not inconvenience. Maybe The Business hacked up on her second bow after posting a shocker on her hurdles debut. She certainly stays and her trainer is in good form but her jumping under pressure can be suspect. Calling Brave has plenty of speed and cannot be ruled out. Henderson's team have always fancied him as a stayer but a tendency to make blunders at the hurdles will not be forgiven at this level. Yorkshire and Texas Ranger made hay during the summertime but they are difficult to make cases for in the depths of soft ground hurdling at Newbury. No Collusion reportedly scoped badly at Chepstow but made amends at Hereford. He has been aimed for the race but the ground is an imponderable. Madge Carroll could be the potential fly-in-the ointment. She has done little wrong thus far and cannot be written off if she takes to racing on this surface.
