keen hold, mistake 1st, held up, ridden 4th, weakened next
raced freely, led and soon well clear, headed after 6th, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden 6th, weakened next
chased leaders, chased winner 3 out, soon driven, no impression when hit last 2
keen hold, held up in rear, ridden 5th struggling next
chased leaders, effort 5th, ridden and struggling after next
in touch, headway to track leader 4th, led after 6th, in command when hit last 2, driven out
keen hold, in touch, ridden and struggling 6th
held up in rear, mistake 4th, steady headway after 6th, chased leading pair after next, no impression when hit last 2
chased leader, weakening when mistake 5th, pulled up before 3 out
Mount Benger gets the confident vote in this claimer with Threezedzz and Atlantis rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair second in a much better race behind Swift Sailor last time. The form has worked out well and he need only run up to that mark to win this. Threezedzz rates the main danger on his best form but he has not run for 939-days and although the fitting of a first-time tongue tie may improve him he may just need the run. Atlantis is another that could go well as he hails from a yard in top form and he is dropping in grade but he showed little over fences last time so can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the rest, Dara Mac has won at up to a mile on the flat and is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling debut so could fo well at a price but for the winner we return to Mount Bengar who sets a fair standard and will be hard to beat.
Marlion (FR) 100-1 (10-11) Awkward 1st, chased leaders to 4th, soon well behind, 15th of 18, well behind Roll Along (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gs.
Threezedzz 5-1 (11-12) Led, left well clear 3rd, headed 6th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 13, 36l behind Greensmith Lane (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Apr '04.
Atlantis (HOL) 20-1 (11-4) Always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, 6th and no chance when pulled up at the last in race won by Opportunity Knocks (9-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 12 ran.
Mount Benger 25-1 (10-7) In rear, headwa 2 out, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Swift Sailor (11-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Crystal Ka (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Always behind, no chance when blundered 3 out, 6th of 12, 26l behind Shaman (10-12) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gf in May.
Discomania 33-1 (10-9) Always in rear, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Escobar (11-6) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd, 12 ran.
Batchworth Beau 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 28l behind Almanshood (10-8) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Canatrice (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Prominent, led 4th to 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Flame Phoenix (11-8) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Oct '04.
