tracked leader, led 8th, drew clear after 3 out, easily
tracked leader, ridden to chase winner after 9th, no chance with winner when hit 2 out, lost 2nd flat
held up, headway 8th, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
tracked leaders, reminders after 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, hit 6th, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
always behind, tailed off
mid-division until weakened 9th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
always behind, tailed off
led, soon clear, headed 8th, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A number of these have solid claims, but we'll side with I'M A LEGEND, with the likely dangers being It's Tough and Gullible Gordon. The selection is chasing a hat-trick following successive wins last month. The ground shouldn't be a problem as those wins came with some cut in the ground. The step up in trip may be a minor concern. Gullible Gordon has yet to win and is among the least exposed, but has been placed in three of his five runs to date. He may be carrying too much weight though for what could be a real test of stamina. It's Tough won his first couple of races, a bumper and a maiden hurdle, but still ran a little green in coming third last time out. The Pipe yard is coming into form though, and so could this gelding. It looks like a race worth hanging around for, and we think they could be all giving chase to I'm A Legend.
Gullible Gordon (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden after 3 out, edged left and not fluent last, headed and hung right under pressure, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Giles Cross (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Bertie May 20-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden and hung left 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 17, 9l behind Ballydub (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
I'm A Legend 5-2fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov beating Bring Me Sunshine (11-5) by 1l, 14 ran.
Its Tough (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) In touch, driven 8th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, well behind Alderluck (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Kayf Aramis 3-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, short of room approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 10l behind Giles Cross (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Businessmoney Jake 9-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching last, ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 11, shd behind Absolut Power (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct '06.
Tenor De Balme (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 16, 9l behind Picot de Say (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Vintage Fabric (USA) 11-1 (11-2) In touch, driven 3rd, mistake 4th, weakened 6th, 8th of 15, 24l behind Six Day War (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Miss Midnight 14-1 (11-1) Led to 1st, remained prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 14, 20l behind Le Beau Bai (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up, well behind 9th, stayed on approaching last, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 8l behind Major Catch (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Midnight Chase 10-3jt-fav (11-12) Raced wide, held up in rear, hit 7th, headway after 2 out, soon challenging, led before last, soon in command, won at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy beating Tarateeno (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
Festival Flyer 50-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Bally Conn (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.