led to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out
prominent, led on bit after 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, blundered last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and out paced after 3 out, ran on from 2 out, took 3rd final stride
mistake, unseated rider 1st
with leader to 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden and lost place 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway 5th, challenged on bit after 3 out, ridden and led approaching last, driven out flat
always behind, no impression
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
hampered 1st, saddle slipped and pulled up after 3rd
A wide open contest gets proceedings underway and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Handa Island, Tizi Ouzou and Banningham Blaze and the narrow vote is given to Tizi Ouzou. The selection was a fair fifth in a better race behind Devito last time out. This looks easier and despite top weight he looks the value bet in an open affair under conditions that suit. Handa Island rates the main danger on his latest third behind Rare Coincidence but although he travelled well he found little off the bridle and for that reason he is opposed. Banningham Blaze is another that could go well on his best form but he disappointed last time for no apparent reason so can not be put forward with any confidence. Pedler's Profiles is another worthy of respect on his best form but he may just need the run after a 432 day absence. Of the remainder Lucky Arthur has shown a modicum of ability and could improve for first time cheek pieces but for the winner we return to Tizi Ouzou.
Tizi Ouzou (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 17l behind Devito (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) frm in Oct.
Handa Island (USA) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 5th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Rare Coincidence (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Banningham Blaze 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 39l behind Penric (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) gf in Oct.
Lucky Arthur (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Mistake 2nd, always in rear, 9th of 14, 31l behind Miss Lehman (10-8) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (G) gd in Oct.
Pedler's Profiles 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched to challenge approaching next, not fluent last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Sir Walter (11-2) at Worcester 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in Aug '04.
Raheel (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, headway approaching 3 out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 16, 16l behind Wardash (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov sll hdl (G) gf in Jul.
Isleofhopeantears (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 21l behind Englishtown (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Nutley Queen (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Held up, headway before 2f out, ridden and every chance after last, kept on flat, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Wardash (11-6) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gd in Oct.
