led, headed 2 out, ridden and one pace in 4th when fell last
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, reminders after 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, led after 2 out, stayed on well from last
behind, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, tracked leaders approaching 6th, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace, always held by winner
towards rear, reminders after 5th, pushed along and mistake 8th, slightly hampered last, kept on, no impression
chased leader, led briefly 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd place towards finish
towards rear and pushed along, ridden 4 out, kept on from 2 out, took 3rd towards finish
prominent, hit 6th, soon weakened, reminders approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
The consistent My Condor is sure to be popular but he's usually worth taking on and it may be worth doing so with either Troodos Jet or MISCHIEF MAN and we'll take a chance with the latter. Donald McCain has his string in great form at present and My Condor has obvious claims under a 7lb penalty following a decisive victory at Worcester but he's not been a frequent winner and weakened tamely on his last visit to this track. Therefore, given that he's likely to be short enough in the market, it may pay to look elsewhere. Troodos Jet has a similar profile to My Condor but he is a winner at this track and has run some of his better races here and looks sure to give another good account of himself. However, we're going to take a chance with Sue Smith's Mischief Man who is unlikely to lack for fitness on his return from a short break. The form of his course and distance second on his penultimate start reads well enough in the context of this race and he has scope for further improvement after just four starts over fences so could be worth chancing.
My Condor (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Led until 4th, led 7th, stayed on under pressure flat, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Mibleu (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mezuzah 20-1 (11-2) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, 4th of 6, 12l behind Dobravany (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Mischief Man 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered and dropped rear 4th, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Desperate Dex (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Hel up in touch, not fluent 4th, went 3rd briefly approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 13, 17l behind Flower Haven (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
Clueless 50-1 (10-9) Never better than mid-division, weakened after 2 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Flying Doctor (10-6) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs, 16 ran.
Troodos Jet 10-3 (9-11) Chased leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, headed and pecked on landing last, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Coach Lane (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Stolen Light (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked winner most of the way, no impression on winner when battled for 2nd from 5 out, weakened after 3 out, blundered next, 3rd of 4, dis behind Le Platino (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in Apr.
Crofton Arch 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders 11th to before 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, 36l behind Baltic Pathfinder (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Janal (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Mid-division on inside, effort to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, never on terms, 4th of 12, 24l behind Finbin (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Ballyboe Boy (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) With leader, jumped slowly 5th, ridden and lost place when left 2nd again 13th, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 24l behind Mattaking (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
