always rear, struggling 5th, soon tailed off
pulled hard, soon chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
led to 3 out, weakened quickly
held up in rear, steady headway from 6th, chased leaders next, challenged 3 out, led soon after next, soon clear, easily
in touch, challenged 3 out, led after 3 out, headed soon after next, soon no chance with winner
in touch, weakened when hit 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, driven, struggling 4 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, dropped to rear 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out (bled from nose)
in touch, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching next
raced on inside, chased leaders, hit 3 out, 3rd and beaten when hit next
held up towards rear, made some headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led, hit 3 out, headed soon after, 5th and beaten when mistake 2 out
Haddaaf helps Charlie Mann play a good hand in the opening couple of races and this lightly raced gelding is selected in preference to Calgary Jock and Armaddy, who make the most appeal from the remainder. Armaddy has been placed in two previous visits to this course, which does bolster his claims as one that can be guaranteed to handle the track. However, he was a costly failure as an 'odds-on' favourite last time out, so his cracks are starting to show. The Nicky Henderson-trained Calgary Jock - a third foal of a modest point-to-pointer - is in the right hands to have his talents nurtured in the right direction. Henderson introduces the seven-year-old at a very modest level and it would not be the biggest shock were this son of Rakaposhi King capable of making a winning debut. The betting will be a good gauge towards his presence in the paddock. However, Hadaaf has the vital edge in terms of experience and, having shown a good attitude at Kempton when he last raced (finished 23 lengths ahead of I Have Dreamed, who runs in the opener), this appears to be a good chance for Hadaaf to step up to the plate.
Bedouin Blue (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway 7th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, hit last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind This Way That Way (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Calgary Jock Rakaposhi King gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Funny Fellow 8-1 (11-0) Led, soon well clear, reduced lead 6th, headed under pressure soon after 3 out, weakened 6th, no chance when pulled up at the last in race won by Mon Chevalier (10-9) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy, 8 ran.
Haddaaf (USA) 33-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway when blundered 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace after last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Working Title (11-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Mancebo (GER) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear and pulled up 2 out in race won by Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Osbourne 100-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Synchronised (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Peas 'n Beans (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 14, well behind All For The Cause (11-6) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Rio (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, not much room, lost place over 6f out, always in rear after, last of 11, 25l behind Western Roots (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jun (Flat).
Amarillo Slim (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders until over 4f out, soon ridden and tailed off, last of 10, well behind Nimello (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs in Mar (Flat).
Ardmaddy (IRE) 8-11fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, weakening when mistake last, 2nd of 6, 18l behind Poseidon's Secret (10-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Joe Rich 66-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders until ridden and lost place over 2f out, last of 6, 14l behind Restless Genius (9-1) at Brighton 6f mdn aut stk (5) gs (Flat).
Kadouchski (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, in touch, weakened under pressure from 3 out, 7th of 14, 31l behind Pop (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Dalayla (IRE) 150-1 (9-11) Stumbled 1st, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Chantaco (11-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 16 ran.
