chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced by front pair approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
led, not fluent 6th, ridden and headed before 7th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden along from 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out
held up and behind, ridden and lost touch after 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up after 6th
Walton Way is a tentative selection, while Breezer and Secret Travel are also respected in a modest heat like this. Secret Travel is less exposed than most and, having acquitted herself well in a similar event at this course last time out; she holds solid place claims in this company. Breezer can be hard to predict but does act well at Taunton and, as this is about his optimum distance, he looks a big threat to them all today. Darryll Jacob is luring in the plaudits with his cool riding style and he can be seen to good effect if Breezer decides that he is on a 'going day'. However, Walton Way has conditions in his favour this afternoon and, with his recent profile making a touch more appeal, the Peter Hiatt-trained gelding just edges preference as the more reliable option on this occasion.
Porak (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off from 4th, 15th of 20, well behind Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Walton Way 28-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 15, 8l behind Zimbabwe (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ivorsagoodun 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division until 4th, 12th of 15, well behind Saratogane (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Reelinga 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden 9th, went 3rd and kept on one pace 2 out, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Little Rort (11-7) at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Breezer 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 7th, 7th of 10, well behind Moon Catcher (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in May.
Secret Travel 25-1 (10-6) In touch, lost place 4th, ridden 6th, soon lost touch, 6th of 13, 42l behind Little Rort (11-7) at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Prince Dundee (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 16l behind Safe To Blush (10-6) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (5) gf in Nov.
Shaded (IRE) 150-1 (9-9) Held up last, pulled hard after 2nd, tailed off after 5th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Orion Express (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
