led to after 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
held up last, not fluent 1st and 2nd, ridden 5th, weakened 2 out
prominent and raced wide throughout, chased leader 5th, led soon after, ridden 2 out, ran on flat, all out
chased leader, close up and ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken after
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden behind leaders after 5th, one pace
towards rear, pulled hard, raced wide, headway 5th, going well 2 out, shaken up and every chance last, all out flat, just failed
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Take The Stand, Critical Stage and Nawamees and the narrow vote is given to Nawamees. The selection was eighth behind Pearl King last time out but he looks sure to be suited by this longer trip and softer ground and off what remains a handy mark he looks a value bet. Take The Stand rates the main danger as he returns to hurdles off a much lower mark than his chase rating but his best form is on fast ground and he looks opposable on that basis. Critical Stage won well last time out when beating Rashida but that was in a seller and he will need to improve to win this off his higher mark. Saratogane has the abilty to win off this mark but has two ways of running so can not be put forward with any confidence. Briscoe Place's best form is on fast ground while Dad's Elect may need the run after a 730 day absence and for the winner we return to Nawamees.
Take The Stand (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 10th, mistake 15th, hit 5 out, chasing winner when hit 4 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 18, well behind Baron Windrush (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Mar.
Saratogane (FR) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, last place and behind from 5th, 7th of 11, 20l behind Dizzy Future (10-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Hill Forts Timmy 11-1 (10-2) Held up, headway and effort 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 8, 13l behind Blaeberry (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Dad's Elect (GER) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to lead before 3 out, ridden headed between last 2, every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Wet Lips (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (D) gf in Jun '05.
Critical Stage (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, clear after last, won at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gs in Dec beating Rashida (10-5) by 10l, 9 ran.
Aldiruos (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Always behind, 13th of 17, 46l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Nawamees (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden and headway after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 23l behind Pearl King (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 11th, joined leader 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 8, 35l behind Herecomestanley (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
