held up in touch, reminders after 10th, headway 12th, blundered next, ridden after 4 out, mistake next, one pace
held up, headway 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
led 3rd, made rest, clear approaching last, stayed on well flat, readily
chased winner from 3rd, ridden and weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch until fell 3rd
held up, hit 2nd, mistake 10th, headway 13th, ridden and weakening when blundered 3 out
led to after 2nd, soon struggling and lost place from 5th, well behind 4 out, stayed on again from next, not trouble leaders
Royal Barge remains in good heart, stays the trip, won at Market Rasen from a seven-pound lower mark but might just be vulnerable off top weight. Vincent Van Gogh has won twice over course and distance, having been raised seven pounds for the second of those, on his seasonal return. The form of that race has worked out well and he holds chances. Something Dandy carries a seven-pound penalty for a fortunate Kempton win, while Watership Down has found life a little more difficult in handicap chases but, at least the handicapper has started to drop his rating now. He ran well at Exeter on his last but one run. Walk On By won at Fontwell in August but has been disappointing subsequently. Auburn Spirit won from a mark of 78 in February (now 82) but has struggled on soft going since. The bottom three are all out of the handicap but Under The Thumb has won from a mark of 89 over two miles (now, effectively, 79). He could run well if staying the trip. With the form of his course and distance win working out, Vincent Van Gogh is nominated as the TEAMtalk selection to follow up.
