led, clear 3rd to 8th, headed and mistake 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, went 2nd 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra flat
held up and took keen hold, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, 4th and beaten when blundered 2 out
held up, blundered 2nd, mistake 6th, headway after 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
always prominent, led 9th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on well
held up, brief effort 8th, weakened approaching 10th
in touch, pushed along 7th, jumped slowly 10th, soon weakened
held up, mistake 1st, lost touch after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
The answer to this race could be Fiery Peace, with Hit Royal and Day du Roy possibly rating as his biggest dangers. The Henry Daly-trained selection won in good style at Market Rasen last time and, while the form is nothing out of the ordinary, he might be able to defy a ten-pound rise in the ratings. Hit Royal was raised nine pounds for a course win over further two runs ago but ran with great credit from the new mark last time. For his pains, though, the handicapper has raised him a further two pounds, but he can still go well. Why The Long Face is arguably the best of the three Richard Guest runners although his Hexham win three runs ago came over a longer trip. No Need For Alarm looked useful as a novice last season but has an absence of 189 days to overcome. Day du Roy looked progressive when scoring twice in April/May time but has been disappointing on his last two starts, although he may have been given a confidence booster over hurdles last time. He has to prove himself from his current rating but, if fully on song, should go well. Bernardon got back to winning ways at Southwell in July but has been beaten three times over hurdlers since. However, he is back over fences now but is nine pounds higher than for his last win so he too has something to prove. Klondike Charger is another to have won here and, given that his capable rider takes three pounds off his back, can be given a chance. With the other pair racing from out of the handicap, this spins us back to the selection, which is Fiery Peace.
