in touch, stumbled and went badly lame 9th, pulled up
led, not fluent and headed 3 out, not much room 2 out, no impression last
mid-division, raced keenly, jumped slowly 2nd, weakened after 8th
always prominent, not fluent 7th, went 2nd 8th, mistake next, led 3 out, jumped slightly left final 2, stayed on well, eased close home
raced keenly, held up, not fluent 2nd, lost touch approaching 8th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway after 8th, went 3rd 3 out, weakened after 2 out, hit last
in touch, weakened after 9th
held up, raced keenly, headway 6th, weakened after 8th
held up towards rear, not always fluent, headway approaching 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader, not fluent 2nd, reminders 6th, jumped slowly and weakened 8th
held up mid-division, headway 8th, never near leaders
prominent, blundered 6th, weakening when mistake 2 out
in rear, raced keenly, blundered 1st, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 3 out
CAPE TRIBULATION is the selection with Phoudamour and Ogee as the likely dangers. Malcolm Jefferson's horses are running well and this four-year-old has always been held in regard by the handler. A winner on soft going on the flat, his third at Aintree on Grand National day appears to be the best form on offer. Phoudamour is likely to be fit for his run here last month. That had followed a long absence. Ogee has had plenty of racing of late. A fair handicapper on the flat, his ability to handle the going is a big question. Brayford Lad was on his best behaviour at Worcester. He clearly has a couple of ideas about the game but there are no worries on this surface. Iconoclast continues over hurdles having made little impression over the larger obstacles. Quail has had plenty of chances this season and needs to brush up on his rather agricultural hurdling technique. Native Bob made his first appearance in a Wincanton bumper won by Bakbenscher. Alan King's charge has already advertised the validity of that form. Cape Tribulation looks the sort who could go on to better things and he is a confident choice here.
Brayford Lad (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Always prominent, led approaching 2 out, hung left from approaching last, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Apr beating Bormo (10-9) by 5l, 12 ran.
Ogee 3-1jt-fav (11-5) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 4th, ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, every chance from 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Lake Legend (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Anthony's Road (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) In touch until weakened 4th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Mahonia (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Cape Tribulation 11-2jt-fav (10-12) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 20, 3 1/2l behind Honest John (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
El Alamein (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 8th, mistake 9th, weakening when blundered 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kilbeggan Blade (10-9) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Iconoclast (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, headway when not fluent 3 out, hit last, never reached leaders, 5th of 15, 7l behind Great Endeavour (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Mister Pan (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, never on terms, 11th of 14, 48l behind Lake Legend (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Native Bob (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Raced wide, mid-division, headway 5f out, lost action, eased final 2f, 8th of 12, 30l behind Bakbenscher (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Nautical Approach (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 8th, headed soon after, weakened, 6th of 14, 13l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Oscar Owen (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always in rear and pulled up 3 out in race won by Boomerang (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Phoudamour (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged after 2 out, ridden flat, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Great Endeavour (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Quail (FR) 5-2 (10-9) Led, wandered and hung left approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, blundered last, hung left and soon headed, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Barnhill Brownie (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Rocket Pocket 66-1 (10-9) Led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 18l behind Deep Squeeze (10-9) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gf in Oct.
