soon tailed off, pulled up before 5th
not fluent 1st, tracked leading pair, blundered 6th, chased clear leader next, closer order 9th, led 11th, clear when driven before 2 out, tired near finish, unchallenged
chased clear leader to 7th, stayed in 3rd until weakened 3 out
raced in 4th and well adrift of leading trio, pushed along 6th, headway into 3rd 3 out, challenging for 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner
raced very keenly in lead, soon well clear, not fluent 4th (water) reduced lead when mistake 10th, slow jump and headed next, chased winner after, no chance after 3 out, tired when blundered last, just held on for 2nd
A race that has cut up particularly badly and we will chance MAM RATAGAN against Predateur and Wake Board. The selection was particularly well backed at Worcester last month before finding Postmaster too good on the night. Admittedly, that gives Evan Williams a line of form on our selection but with soft ground prevailing, its worth noting that Mam Ratagan did win his bumper at Warwick under similar conditions three years ago. Predateur is particularly quirky and were he to reproduce anything like his run at Uttoxeter when he accounted for Sandhurst, he would be a certainty. Regrettably he seldom seems to run two races the same although it is of some note that the tongue-tie that he has worn during his races throughout the year, has been removed today. Wake Board is in receipt of all the allowances as a four-year-old. Part-owned by Harry Findlay, he was a frustrating character over hurdles but the booking of Richard Johnson and a hefty allowance suggest there is a pretty compelling case to be made for him. Nordwind has issues in relation to the prevailing going whilst Knapp Bridge Boy seems comprehensively outclassed. Mam Ratagan is the pick at the likely prices.
Knapp Bridge Boy 25-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 6th, headed next, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Archie Boy (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m nov stks (3) gd in Jun, 6 ran.
Predateur (FR) 11-4 (11-1) Chased leaders, joined leader 8th, ridden and every chance 3 out, beaten before next, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Archie Boy (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m nov stks (3) gd in Jun.
Mam Ratagan 10-11fav (10-12) Led, ridden and veered right approaching last, headed flat, held close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Postmaster (11-5) at Worcester 2m nov stks (4) gf in Jul.
Nordwind (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Chased winner until 3rd, remained prominent, shaken up after 6th, found nothing, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Classic Swain (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Jun.
Wake Board (FR) 15-8fav (10-11) Keen early, led to before 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Benetwood (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
