prominent, left 2nd 4th, ridden and outpaced 6th, ran on well to go 2nd close home
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, kept on one pace
held up mid-division, headway after 7th, led well before last, soon clear, pushed out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leader, left 3rd at 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
prominent, left in lead 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, tired when fell last
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened 7th
held up towards rear, chased leaders 5th, outpaced 3 out, ran on well to go 3rd close home
held up in touch, smooth headway after 6th, challenged and led 2 out, ridden and headed well before last, not quicken flat
led, clear 3rd, pulled up quickly and dismounted before 4th
held up last, pulled hard after 2nd, tailed off after 5th, pulled up before 6th
Brendan Powell has had his string in good form of late so Methodical has to be respected on his reappearance but he may find the going too quick so preference is for Monash Lad, who gets the vote ahead of Mapilut du Moulin and Better Moment. The last mentioned has run creditably off similar marks in the past but could probably do with some help from the handicapper and may be booked for a place at best. Orion Express has only one victory from 28 career starts and is easily passed over, while Blandings Castle was probably flattered by the margin of victory when successful at Newton Abbot and it may be that the handicapper overreacted to that success. Brave Jo may have a race in him but would probably want a softer surface and of more interest may be Mapilut du Moulin, who has shown a consistent level of form. Monash Lad has trip and ground conditions to suit though and, off what looks a fair mark, he gets the vote.
Better Moment (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Behind, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 14, 26l behind Veverka (11-1) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sept.
Methodical 11-4jt-fav (10-2) Held up, headway after 6th, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon weakened fell at the last in race won by Philomena (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Orion Express 15-8fav (10-13) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd next, weakened approaching 3 out, jumped right last, 9th of 12, 28l behind Walton Way (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Sept.
Monash Lad (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, effort and hit 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 18l behind Pearl King (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Brave Jo (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Chased clear leader, outpaced 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Swift Sailor (11-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
City General (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Soon in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Fountain Crumble (10-10) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gd.
Blandings Castle 7-2 (10-2) Took keen hold towards rear, headway under pressure on outside after 3 out, never near leaders, 7th of 15, 10l behind Dishdasha (10-9) at Stratford 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd.
Mapilut du Moulin (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Soon well behind and never fluent, some progress into poor 4th two out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 22l behind Fountain Crumble (10-10) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gd.
