ran in snatches, mid-division until 9th, behind and pulled up before 11th
mid-division, pecked 8th, chasing leaders when hampered 13th, ridden and one pace from 3 out, mistake last
in touch, mistake 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, went 2nd and mistake last, no impression flat
behind, tailed off 11th, pulled up before last
behind, some headway when badly hampered 13th, no chance after
led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace from next
always behind
chased leaders, ridden and not fluent 3 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, travelling well in close 3rd when blundered badly and unseated rider 13th
tracked leader, led 3 out, soon ridden, clear last, stayed on well
mid-division, headway 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division until 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
always behind
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
held up rear, hit 2nd, headway 13th, ridden and no impression until stayed on from last
A tough one to call, but Noble Baron is obviously in good heart and is narrowly preferred over fellow in-form rivals, Grumpy Stumpy and Harry Collins, who look sure to go down fighting. The last named has been banging on the door of late and deserves a change of fortune after some near misses. However, his tendency to find a few too good is a little off-putting and, with his latest start open to scrutiny, there has to be the suspicion that he will find at least one too good again today. Grumpy Stumpy has an abundance of stamina to draw from and will be staying on when others have had enough on this ground. However, he faces a much stiffer test today and has more improvement to find. So too does Henrietta, who will do well to give weight away in this company and is opposable on these terms. Therefore, we switch to Noble Baron, who is a versatile character that is still very well treated in comparison to his hurdles rating and can seize the opportunity today.