mid-division, ridden and behind from 8th, tailed off when blundered 3 out
held up in rear, headway 6th, under pressure and weakened after 3 out
never going well in rear, jumped slow 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to chase winner before last, strong challenge flat, just failed
tracked leaders until weakened after 4 out
in mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway 6th, weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, still plenty to do after 3 out, stayed on from next, never able to challenge
tracked leader, led 4th to 7th, led again soon after 4 out to soon after 3 out, lost 2nd when blundered last, one pace flat
held up, jumped left from 7th, struggling after 4 out, tailed off
led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 7th, jumped left 9th, headed soon after 4 out, weakened after next
held up, steady headway from 7th, challenged and led soon after 3 out, hard pressed final 150 yards, just held on all out
There looks sure to be plenty of pace on here with the likes of Old Marsh and Abalvino both capable of cutting out the running. However, as they have both been finding winning hard this season, they may be worth taking on with Island Faith, who holds solid claims in this wide-open contest. So too does the unexposed Great Travel, who receives plenty of weight from the rest this afternoon. He does have a little to find on balance though and looks a little risky for win only purposes at this level. The same has to be said of Saraganna and Harvis, who are both well treated at present and entitled to go close if they are on song. However, neither has really been noted for consistency in their efforts this term and are probably best watched today. So the trio to concentrate on appear to be Old Marsh, Abalvino and Island Faith - with the last named edging a narrow vote of confidence. The selection has taken well to fences and should appreciate the drop to this trip today. Island Faith's effort in finishing a good second to Santenay at Aintree reads very well in the context of this race and he need only run to that sort of level to oblige here. Abalvino is a very determined character on his day and he is fancied as the biggest danger if the market suggests that Ferdy Murphy's representative will strip fitter for the run after 76 days away from the action.
