chased leader, led 7th, clear from 10th
led, headed approaching 3rd, dropped rear 6th, reminders next, chased winner approaching 4 out, no impression
in touch, hit 5th, ridden after 10th, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, led 6th, hit and headed 7th, soon lost place, tailed off
chased leaders, led approaching 3rd, headed 6th, hit 7th, close 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 9th
Despite a double penalty Howard Johnson's Grattan Lodge should be too good for his rivals here and is taken to win his third race over fences, with Almire Du Lia and Native Legend rated the main dangers. The selection showed progressive form over hurdles last season but his handler has wasted no time in putting the son of Roselier over the larger obstacles this term. Successful at Sedgefield and last time at Carlisle, the only blot on Grattan Lodge's copybook was an early faller over course and distance in between. Provided that he puts in a clear round today, a reproduction of his latest effort should suffice for the seven-year-old. Sue Bradburne's Almire Du Lia ran well in the face of a stiff task behind Mister McGoldrick at Ayr last month and has to be respected, along with Native Legend especially now that Ferdy Murphy's stable are back among the winners. George Moore's Quarter Masters has shown signs of ability but Grattan Lodge has shown enough to suggest that he is more than capable of giving weight and a beating away to his rivals.
