tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, outpaced before next, no impression
made all, hard pressed from 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out
raced keen in rear, headway 4th and in touch, challenged 4 out, every chance next, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, no extra from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, outpaced before next, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, headway halfway, tracked leaders 4 out, weakened before next
mid-division, mistake and lost place 4th, behind when blundered badly 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
towards rear, struggling 7th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Despite making several mistakes Stamparland Hill only went down by a short head to Sir Storm at Wetherby last time and, in the hope that he jumps better today, Malcolm Jefferson's gelding gets the vote over his conqueror there and the consistent Bob's Buster. The last mentioned has done little wrong all season but gives the impression that the handicapper now has his measure, while Sir Storm is 1lb worse in with the selection on running at Wetherby and should not confirm placings if the runner-up at the Yorkshire venue puts his best foot forward. Top weight Trouble Ahead struggled off his new mark at Wincanton last time and may not appreciate the drop in trip, while Chergan probably wants further these days. Stablemate The Tinker is capable of taking a hand but is not the most consistent of horses; a comment that also applies to Micky Hammond's Mexican. Now that Ferdy Murphy's horses are back among the winners a more interesting contender could prove to be Green Ideal but we are happy to side with Stamparland Hill, who gets the vote.
