held up in rear, soon detatched, took closer order 7th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, mistake next, stayed on under pressure flat, never reached winner
led until 3rd, remained prominent, led again 10th, jumped left next, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, mistake 1st, soon detatched and beaten
prominent, not fluent 1st and 2nd, led next, headed 10th, driven and rallied 4 out, weakened approaching 2nd last
tracked leaders, led 3 out, jumped right next, idled after last, just held on
Nonrunner
There is plenty to recommend PUTNEY BRIDGE and he gets our vote to land the hat-trick over Take A Mile and The Hardy Boy. Keith Goldsworthy has done exceptionally well with the few runners that he has had out of late and Putney Bridge looks a good bet to complete a hat-trick of successes. He has won his last two races very comfortably and he still appears to be ahead of the handicapper. Take A Mile was a faller here last time, but he's only had two runs over fences and he certainly shapes as though he is worth perservering with in this sphere. The Hardy Boy is a course specialist and although his best form is with a bit of juice in the ground, he has also won on good ground. Sumdancer finished second last time here, but there were three that failed to complete in that seven runner race and he was no match for the winner. Maximix has won over the course and distance but he disappointed last time, and we will return to Putney Bridge as the one to beat.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leader to 6th, dropped to 3rd when mistake 3 out, beaten when hit 2 out, blundered last, last of 4, 49l behind Harouet (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Putney Bridge 15-8fav (11-13) Quickly away, made all, hit 7th, in command and jumped left from 4 out, well clear after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Taffy Thomas (11-6) by 18l, 6 ran.
Maximix 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, never a factor, 9th of 11, well behind High Jack (10-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Sumdancer (NZ) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 4 out until after next, dropped to 4th before 2 out, left 3rd next, left distant 2nd last, 2nd of 7, 19l behind Tempting Paradise (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Take A Mile (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 5th, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, led after 3 out, badly hampered by loose horse, saddle slipped and rider lost both irons 2 out, kept narrow advantage until headed, blundered and fell last, in a race won by Tempting Paradise (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr, 7 ran.
The Hardy Boy 10-11fav (11-9) Led, clear 2nd, reduced lead 4th, narrowly headed before 4 out, ridden soon after, no chance with winner from next, tailed off, 2nd of 3, 35l behind Kappelhoff (10-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr.
