tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened from last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression
keen early, led after 1st, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace flat
behind, blundered, unseated rider 6th
in touch, effort approaching 5th, soon ridden, weakened
led until 1st, stayed in touch until ridden, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, close-up when not much room approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, smooth headway to track leader 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, led last, driven out flat
Not much solid evidence to go on, so Jim The Gent is only a speculative choice; while Pouilly and Culcavy are also shortlisted as dangers. The last named had experience from an Irish point-to-point before he made his rules debut at Downpatrick earlier this month. The Colin McBratney-trained gelding would not need to show much progression to figure strongly in such a moderate contest as this. Pouilly has a similar profile and, having made a winning start in a course bumper 16 days ago, he has to be respected. The four-year-old is bred for jumping and a bold bid can be expected. However, Jim The Gent sets the standard for the time being and, as this longer trip will help him settle a bit better than he did last time out, the son of Pistolet Bleu gets the nod on this occasion.
Beaufoy (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, moderate 10th and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 19, 27l behind Care And Share (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl gs in Jun.
Breezy Alec (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) 5th of 18, 36l behind Sunny Ville (12-0) at Tyrella 3m ire ptp gd in Jan '06.
Culcavy (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway to 6th 3 out, ridden in moderate 4th before 2 out, no impression, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 20l behind Mr Muffin Man (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gd.
Jim The Gent (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Harcas (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Caan 8-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress, 10th of 12, 9l behind Lauren Louise (9-2) at Lingfield 6f mdn clm (7) pol in Feb '06 (Flat).
Pouilly (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway to lead 2f out, driven out final furlong, comfortably, won at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd beating Simonside (10-11) by 2l, 18 ran.
Driversford (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, progress 3 out, 9th 2 out, moderate 6th before last, kept on, 5th of 22, 8l behind Mighty Star (11-2) at Naas 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl sft.
Kerasoun (FR) (9-5) In touch to 2f out, soon beaten behind Maitresse (8-13) at Chantilly 1m 4f hcp sft in Jun, 17 ran (Flat).
