held up in rear, ridden after 7th, weakening when mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up and keen, headway to go 2nd 7th, ridden after next, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until after 3rd, chased winner to 7th, weakened after next
behind from 5th, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
keen, tracked leader, led after 3rd, clear from next, jumped left 3 out, soon ridden, headed briefly approaching last, stayed on
It is going to seem a long way up the Towcester hill for the topweight Forbearing and, much as he has to have a chance, it might pay to side with Royal Maid, with Nandoo and Mr Mistoffeles being others to consider. Much as he is a light of former years, Forbearing has held his form pretty well at this type of level and should go well. However, in receipt of 21lbs, plus her rider's allowance, Royal Maid's chance also has to be respected. Ok, she has been disappointing in each of her last two runs but, if she can get back to the level of form of her Stratford third on her third-last run then she should be in the shake-up. The step up in trip plus a first-time visor are also expected to aid her cause - that's the hope, anyway. Nandoo has been well placed to win twice from four starts over hurdles but she ran disappointingly last time and has an absence to overcome. but Mr Mistoffeles is an interesting Irish raider, on a card that holds a few runners from across the Irish Sea. Much as he has shown little in the way of consistent form since winning a Tralee bumper two years ago, he drops to this level for the first time and, with Tony McCoy booked, his chance is there for all to see. Cody also has bits of form that give him place claims but, for the winner, we just give the nod to Royal Maid.
