held up in touch, smooth headway 3 out, hit 2 out, soon led, kept on gamely run-in
with leaders, led 3rd, hit 2 out, soon headed, kept on under pressure run-in
held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced, stayed on 2 out, no impression
led, headed after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, struggling from 7th
tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Minivet is the pick over Mr Fernet, with High Drama and Knockdoo not to be left out of calculations entirely. This claiming contest should be well within the capabilities of Minivet who will be all the better for his return to action on the Flat at Musselburgh last month. Dick Allan's charge has beaten much better opposition than this in the past, and off today's mark of 114, should make a bold bid to get back to winning ways. The only one rated higher than him is Champagne Harry, but he has not shown his best form for some time and will do well to give weight away all round, so a bigger threat may be Mr Fernet who nearly threw away a winning opportunity at Plumpton by idling on the run-in. However he did hang on to score and should be in the shake-up again. Tony McCoy rides plenty of winners for Peter Bowen and should also go close on High Drama who reverts to hurdles after finishing second in a handicap chase at Worcester last time. Knockdoo drops back in trip today and it is debatable whether that will be in his favour, so for the winner we return to Minivet.
Champagne Harry 28-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when mistake 2 out, 6th of 15, well behind Ballycassidy (11-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf.
High Drama 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, led 4th to 5th, mistake 6th, left in lead 11th, headed and mistake 3 out, no chance when eased flat, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Alcatras (9-13) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf.
Knockdoo (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 12l behind Croc An Oir (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf.
Minivet 12-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 19, 8l behind Football Crazy (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Sept.
Mr Fernet 4-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, led 2 out, jinked left before last, idled flat, just held on, won at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (F) gd in May beating Caliban (11-3) by a shd, 11 ran.
Spree Vision 25-1 (10-5) Held up, headway and in touch halfway, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 14th of 18, well behind Francies Fancy (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
Possible Gale (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always behind, 7th of 17, 26l behind Aleemdar (10-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in May.
Big Wheel 20-1 (10-7) Led 2nd to 3rd, with leaders to 8th, soon behind, 9th of 10, 32l behind Kristoffersen (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
