always behind, hampered 4th, hung left after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mistakes, keen, in touch, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
with leaders to 6th, weakened next
chased leaders, led after 5th to approaching 9th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
led, headed when mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up, fell 4th
with leaders, led 4th to after 5th, 4th and 4 lengths down when fell 9th
in touch, slipped bend approaching 6th, headway 7th, led approaching 9th, clear after next, comfortably
Rookery Lad gets the vote here, with his biggest dangers given as Winsley and Low Cloud. In a modest race, a repeat of any of his four placed chase efforts between July and October of last year would bring Rookery Lad right into the argument and he has had a recent seasonal pipe-opener. He has also won at this track. Second in a Listed handicap from a mark of 112 last December, Winsley made a fair-enough debut over fences at Fontwell last time and, even though he does not seem the strongest finisher - and this tough Towcester finish will test that theory - he will rarely find a softer race in which to gain a win and should go well. Low Cloud's third at Bangor last time should have primed him well for today and he too should go well in a modest heat. Noble Colours does not lack for experience over fences, although he does not look quite good enough to win, but it is disappointing that True Mariner has been unable to build on his winter 2004 efforts, while Tellem Noting looks to have something to prove. As with Tumbleweed Glen, whose best recent form dates back to April 2003. Overall, then, the vote stays with Rookery Lad.
Kim Buck (FR) 50-1 (10-7) In rear, ridden 11th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by River Marshal (10-11) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (C) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Low Cloud 2-1fav (10-12) Led, raced keenly, headed approaching 3 out, ridden to lead again and hit 2 out, not much room and switched right last, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Sachsenwalzer (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f beg chs (E) gd in Aug.
Noble Colours 50-1 (9-7) Behind from 5th, 7th of 12, 44l behind Loulou Nivernais (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Sept.
Rookery Lad 33-1 (11-6) Held up, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Wise Tale (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
Tellem Noting (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led 3rd to 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, 35l behind Scarrabus (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn chs (E) gf in Sept.
True Mariner (FR) 28-1 (10-1) Led and clear until approaching 8th, headed after 11th, pecked 12th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 25l behind Duke of Buckingham (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Sept.
Tumbleweed Glen (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, led and bumped 6th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Koumba (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (E) gf in Sept.
Winsley 9-4 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 8th, challenged 4 out, chased leader 3 out, not quicken from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Space Star (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gd in Apr.
