always in rear, struggling before 3 out
jumped left, led until driven and headed after 5th, not fluent and lost interest soon after next, tailed off
not fluent 5th, always behind
in touch, went 2nd 6th, weakened after next
in touch, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, led before last, ridden clear run-in
chased leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, led after 5th to 3 out, weakened soon after
held up in rear but in touch, headway from 2 out, kept on running, nearest finish
held up, headway to chase leaders 5th, kept on under pressure run in, went 2nd near finish
chased leaders, led 3 out, hit 2 out, headed before last, no impression run-in, lost 2nd near finish
One of the better races on a poor card where we will take a chance on POSTMASTER, who can take advantage of a change of scenery to see off Mizen Raven and Jazz Dance. Postmaster has joined Evan Williams from Roger Ingram since his most recent outing, when he performed with credit in fourth over 2m 4f at Fontwell. He was an unfancied 66/1 shot that day, but there are a couple of reasons why this might be a good time to catch him. Evan Williams has his yard in good form, this ground suits, and the drop back to two miles looks a plus. All of that together with the improvement in form that often follows a change of yard mean that we will side with him. Mizen Raven would prefer a drop of rain to ease the ground to good or slower, but if he can handle it on his second try on faster ground, then his form suggests that he is entitled to get very heavily involved. Jazz Dance is well suited by conditions here and has won four times already this calendar year, at trips mainly around two miles. Charlie Mann's gelding won a Southwell chase off 115 last time but he has previously looked in the grip of the handicapper from this mark of 120 over hurdles and we will take him on again. Fast ground suits Prince Ary, who is slipping back to a decent mark and had a recent pipe opener. He is not totally ruled out, and the same goes for Winsley Hill, although the latter may just have a shade too much weight on his back, and we will take a chance on Postmaster.
Mister Benedictine 15-2 (11-11) Held up, struggling from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Nelson's Spice (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
Prince Ary 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 9th, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 45l behind Our Choice (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
Iffy 3-1fav (11-10) In touch, raced keenly, hampered 6th, weakened under pressure after 3 out, last of 11, 29l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-4) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jul.
Mizen Raven (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Held up mid-division, led and jumped right approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Irish Legend (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
King's Head (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Held up, headway 5th, held from 3 out, 5th of 10, 37l behind Is It Me (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jul.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, jumped left 5th, weakening when mistake 6th, last of 10, 25l behind Iffy (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
Ohana 4-1 (10-7) In touch, tracked leader from 6th, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Commemoration Day (11-0) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gf in Jun.
Alrafid (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 24l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-4) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jul.
Winsley Hill 17-2 (11-4) In touch, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, hung left, lost 2nd approaching last, kept on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Histoire De Moeurs (10-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl (3) gd in Aug.
Postmaster 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway 7th, every chance when bumped 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 12, 7l behind Irish Whispers (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd.
Jazz Dance (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Not always fluent, held up in close 3rd, challenged on bit 3 out, soon led, readily, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug beating Different Class (10-7) by 3l, 4 ran.
