behind, effort 14th, weakened approaching 3 out
soon tracking leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, edged left flat, driven out
in touch, ridden and every chance 4 out, mistake next, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 8th, lost place 13th, behind when pulled up before 14th
mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mistakes, led to 2nd, stayed prominent, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 11th, ridden 4 out, stayed on one pace
prominent, led 4 out, ridden and headed next, weakened approaching last
not fluent, tracked leaders, lost place 9th, behind when pulled up after 10th
mid-division, reminders after 6th, lost place after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
behind, mistake 7th, headway 14th, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, lost place 5th, rallied 13th, ridden and mistake 4 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden after 10th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 12th, headway 13th, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance when hampered flat, not recover
held up, headway 11th, ridden 14th, weakened approaching last
This is by far the most competitive race on the card. Top-weight Clear Dawn has obviously had his training problems but connections have taken their time with him and now that the ground is becoming faster, he makes more appeal as a betting medium. It is indeed worth noting that he did start favourite for a race on his unfavoured soft ground so clearly he must have shown something at home beforehand and we will therefore make him our selection in a difficult finale. Conversely, drying ground would not be ideal for Irish Option. Josh Gifford's ten-year-old is an admirable type and he is anticipated to run his usual bold race. Pardon What lost a shoe on his last start and that could go some way to explaining a dismal performance. Brendan Powell is a shrewd cookie and it is interesting that staying chases look to be on the map nowadays. He was disappointing though when tackling this trip over hurdles and a watch of the market is advised. Commanche Hero won a weak affair at Huntingdon and will find life tougher with better opposition and a 5lb hike in the weights. Be Upstanding's overall form is relatively solid although the recent form of Ferdy Murphy is something of a worry.
