held up, headway 13th, tracked leader 4 out, led on bit approaching 3 out, in command last, readily clear run-in
led to 3rd, tracked leader, led 12th to 14th, weakened rapidly 4 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, mistake 5th (water), headed 12th, led 14th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner when lost 2nd last
tracked leading pair until blundered 12th, weakened 17th, losing touch when blundered 4 out
always behind, driven along and struggling from 9th, tailed off
prominent, tracked leading pair from 12th, went 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner when lost 2nd last
With both Durlston Bay and Latimer's Place, who have solid claims on the pick of their form but have yet to prove their effectiveness over this far, the vote goes to Rudolf Rassendyll with Boy's Hurrah rated the best of the remainder. The selection is entitled to strip fitter for his recent return at Windsor when losing nothing in defeat behind the in-form Kausse De Thaix and, off the same mark, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding should take plenty of beating. Gray's Eulogy gave little sign for encouragement on his reappearance at Huntingdon last month, while Sea Drifting has slipped to an attractive mark but has clearly had his training problems and may be best watched. Durlston Bay would have an obvious chance if staying this longer trip but is far from certain to do so and a bigger threat may come from Boy's Hurrah, who has a good record round here and should come on a bundle for his return at Market Rasen in October, especially now that the stable is in such good form. Rudolf Rassendyll has the better recent form though and he is preferred.
Latimer's Place 10-3 (11-1) Held up, headway 10th, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Scots Grey (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Nov.
Boy's Hurrah (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Led to 5th, remained close up, quickly weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Bushido (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Oct.
Durlston Bay 16-1 (10-0) Prominent to 5th, well behind 3 out, stayed on from next, left disputing 2nd last, closed as winner weakened run-in, not get up, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Schuh Shine (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
Rudolf Rassendyll (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 11th, challenged next, chased winner before 3 out, no impression and well held before last, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Kausse de Thaix (11-1) at Windsor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Nov.
Sea Drifting 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear, under pressure 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 31l behind Colonel Frank (11-10) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Nov '04.
Gray's Eulogy 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 12th pulled up 4 out in race won by Sweet Bird (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
