held up in 4th, chased winner from 8th, hard ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
chased winner to 8th, ridden 4 out, styg on under pressure when mistake 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 4th, ridden from 8th, weakened 4 out
made all, mistake 5th, pecked 2 out, stayed on strongly
4th when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
not fluent, mistake 1st, always in rear, no impression from 8th
Not the most competitive of handicaps and one that can go to top weight L¿Epicurien. The Martin Pipe-trained gelding has plenty in his favour here, having been dropped 2lb for his previous defeats, meaning he is back on his most recent winning mark. In addition to that, he does well at this trip, loves the bottomless ground and goes well for Rodi Greene. He should be able to outclass his rivals here. Dunston Bill has been performing consistently well this season and is a specialist at this trip. Another who loves cut in the ground, he just looks to be in the grip of the handicapper at present, but should give another good account of himself. Stormhill Stag often does well at this level, but he too looks to be exposed at the moment and it is perhaps wise to wait for a return to form before supporting him with any cash. Gus Des Bois is a potential threat to the selection off a feather weight. He is not nearly as battle-hardened as the top weight, but has a fair bit of experience, goes well in the ground, and also gets the trip, so a place looks on the cards. Raleagh Native has a 7lb pull for a nine length defeat by Inaki here recently. Granted, the Be My Native gelding will also love the cut and act over the trip, but he is proving very difficult to win with and is not certain to overturn that recent form with the winner. Inaki was ridden with plenty of confidence that day, but he may find it a bit more difficult to lay up with L¿Epicurien when the tap gets turned on here, as there was nothing in his class in opposition last time.
