mid-division, headway, led on bit approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on gamely from last
pulled early, held up towards rear, headway 4th, ridden, chased leader approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out and last, blundered last, not recover
prominent, ridden 5th, weakened when not fluent 3 out
always behind, no impression
chased leader, joined leader 4th, led 5th, ridden, headed 3 out, one pace
pulled early, held up towards rear, ridden, weakened after 4th
towards rear, ridden, weakened after 5th
A wide open contest here with many in with chances on their best form but the main protagonists look to be Nuzzle,Theflyingscottie and Think Quick and the tentative vote is given to Nuzzle. The selection made a bad mistake when just creeping into contention last time out and was eventually pulled up she remains on an attractive mark and under conditions that suit she looks a value bet in an open affair. Theflyingscottie rates the main danger on his latest second in similar grade behind Chariot but all he was doing was staying on on that occasion and he may need further to be seen to better effect. Think Quick is dropping in class and has to be feared on that reason alone. Valuable will love the ground and appreciate the return to hurdles so he should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Too Posh To Share is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable in a finish and with this in mind for the winner we return to Nuzzle to minimum stakes.
Sou'wester 7-2 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway after 4th, went 2nd approaching 6th, switched left approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Rio De Janeiro (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) sft in May.
Welcome Stranger 11-8fav (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway when mistake 3 out, no impression when hit last, 5th of 11, 10l behind Tech Eagle (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Cash Back 11-2 (10-13) Behind, short lived effort 6f out, 8th of 12, 38l behind Painter Man (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (6) frm in Apr.
Northern Madrik (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden after 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Rio De Janeiro (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) sft in May.
Royal Flight 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 20, 3l behind Rowanberry (8-8) at Yarmouth 6f mdn hcp (6) gf in Aug (Flat).
Smoke Trail (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Raced wide throughout, ridden and some effort 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Macmar (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Kentucky Bankes 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 8, 17l behind Piddies Pride (8-6) at Brighton 6f 2yo sll (G) gf in Jul '04 (Flat).
Piano Man 12-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, driven over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 13, 7l behind Lisathedaddy (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May (Flat).
