tracked leaders in 3rd, hampered 1st, jumped right 2nd, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway before 4 out, chased leadders before 2 out, led 2 out, kept on well from last
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace
with leader, mistake 1st, outpaced before 2 out
led, not fluent 1st, headed 3 out, regained lead before 2 out, headed 2 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, in rear before 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out
mid-division, outpaced before 2 out, kept on from last, no impression
mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
John Ferguson is operating at a strike rate of over 30% in the current campaign so the chances of Cry Of Freedom must be respected despite topweight. He reverts to hurdles after looking far from natural on two tries over fences, so this may be something of a confidence booster for him. Tzora was an easy winner here when last seen but the assessor has responded with a swingeing 15lb rise which may prevent the Hill inmate from following up. Jolly Roger also looks too high in the weights so the vote is awarded to SIDNEY MELBOURNE. He's the one contender who remains open to improvement whilst trip and ground will suit too. He's on a fair mark and would be a strong fancy if he could further refine and hone his hurdling technique.
Cry of Freedom (USA) 5-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, jumped right and not fluent, headway before 6th, every chance when fell 4 out, in a race won by Kian's Delight (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chase (4) gd, 7 ran.
Tzora 8-1 (10-9) In rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out, clear before last, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May beating Dark And Dangerous (11-1) by 14l, 11 ran.
Jolly Roger (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 2nd, ridden after 6th, led before 3 out, soon headed, mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 18l behind First In The Queue (11-9) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Laudatory 14-1 (10-9) Held up on outside, hit 4th, pushed along next, never in contention, 6th of 11, 16l behind Coffee (10-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Sidney Melbourne (USA) 8-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, carried right when not fluent 2nd, led 4th, headed next, led again 3 out, headed and mistake last, unable to quicken, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Coffee (10-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Kylenoe Fairy (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out, last of 7, 14l behind Smalib Monterg (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Rime Avec Gentil (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 4th, soon lost place, kept on from before last, no impression, 4th of 11, 12l behind Dresden (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Taste The Wine (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3rd, effort where 3 out would of been, never on terms, 4th of 8, 4l behind Waterunder (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.