tracked leaders, ridden from 8th, kept on until weakened last
in touch, headway when hit 6th, tracked leader from next, led approaching 3 out, soon clear
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off before 2 out
held up rear, weakened from 7th, lost touch, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, soon lost place, pulled up 7th
led and jumped left, headed after 8th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out
held up rear, stayed on from 4 out but no chance
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
Nonrunner
Our shortlist contains Glacial Evening, Barrys Ark and Szeroki Bor, and we will side with the last-named. Glacial Evening returned for the season with a good second at Plumpton last time and remains competitive despite having been raised three pounds for that. After Eight competed well at a higher novice level last season and it will be interesting to see how he fares in a handicap, while Jacdor is better known as a chaser these days. Mnason has something to prove from a nine-pounds higher mark than for his course and distance win, while Barrys Ark is interesting at the first time of asking in a handicap, having won a maiden hurdle here. Huntingdon maiden hurdle winner, Szeroki Bor, has also to be considered, while Ireland's Eye is now four pounds below the mark of his December 2004 Leicester win. Keep an eye on the betting but, for what it's worth, we will side with Szeroki Bor.
Glacial Evening (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, switched left soon after last, stayed on well, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Touch of Fate (10-4) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Oct.
After Eight (GER) 9-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened under pressure after 3 out, 9th of 17, 18l behind Yes Sir (11-9) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Apr.
Mnason (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Held up, steady headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Archie Babe (11-7) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Mar.
Abzuson 15-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, 21 lengths down in 3rd and no impression when refused at the last in race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-5) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Apr, 10 ran.
Szeroki Bor (POL) 4-5fav (11-2) Made all, shaken up, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gf in Jun '04 beating Dormy Two (10-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place after 6th, no danger after, 6th of 13, 27l behind Drumbeater (10-11) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Oct.
Dubai Ace (USA) 5-2fav (10-13) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 9th, chased winner 3 out until 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 16, 33l behind Like A Lord (10-12) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Jun.
Barrys Ark (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Always prominent, led after 3 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (E) gs in Mar beating Ballyjohnboy Lord (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
