held up, headway and in touch 8th, badly outpaced next, stayed on under pressure flat
in touch, headway under pressure to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
keen hold, held up, mistake 8th, effort 3 out, weakened before next
in rear, slow jump 2nd, jinxed and unseated rider next
pulled hard in rear, mistake 8th, tailed off
not fluent 2nd, led 3rd, narrowly headed 2 out, stay challenging and every chance last, no extra and held flat
always in rear
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened and mistake 3 out
led to 3rd, chased leader to 5th, effort 9th, weakened before next
held up in rear, smooth headway 8th, led going well 2 out, clear flat
in touch, jumped big 4th, weakened 9th, tailed off and pulled up before last
checked past leaders, effort 8th, weakened 3 out
Gary Moore runs both Almizan and Anticipating and they can be expecetd to play apart in the finish, however it could rest between Itsmyboy and L'Eau Du Nil with the Pipe runner just getting the vote. Itsmyboy reverts to novice company after running well in a handicap last time. He only found the smart McBain two lengths too good and with nothing of that calibre in today's contest he should return to winning ways. Both Almizan and Anticipating were first time out winners and then were both beaten by progressive types last time. They are open to plenty of improvement and look certain to be involved in the finish. L'Eau Du Nil is improving with racing and should go close getting so much weight from the selection. Recent winner Miss Merenda may do best of the others, but our idea of the winner is Itsmyboy.
Itsmyboy (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) In touch, ridden after 3 out, every chance approaching last, edged left and no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind McBain (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gd.
Almizan (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, staying on but no chance with winner when mistake last, 2nd of 11, 14l behind Flotta (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
Anticipating 5-2 (11-4) Held up, headway 5th, chased winner 2f out, soon ridden, one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Smart Boy Prince (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (D) gf.
Helm (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 22l behind Schapiro (11-11) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (D) gs in Apr.
L'Eau Du Nil (FR) 9-4 (11-1) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner when hit last, no impression, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Harry Blade (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gd in Sept.
Miss Merenda 4-1 (10-3) Chased leader, challenged on bit approaching 3 out, soon led, headed bend approaching 2 out, rallied to lead close home, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept beating Festive Chimes (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Stern (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, headway 6th, led 2 out, headed last, kept on well near finish, 2nd of 16, hd behind Cantgeton (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Apr.
The Hardy Boy (12-0) 3rd of 15, 6l behind Drunken Disorderly (12-0) at Kilworth 3m ptp in Mar.
