mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, in no danger after, easily
led, raced keenly, hit 4th, not fluent next, headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until after next, close 3rd when fell 3 out
prominent, not always fluent, ridden after 5th, outpaced after next, well beaten before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, left 3rd and hampered 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner
mid-division, outpaced after 6th, no danger after, went moderate 4th after last
held up in rear, headway after 7th, slightly hampered 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
always towards rear, lost touch after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
pressed leader, jumped slowly 2nd, lost 2nd 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Given his status as the highest rated in this field RIGHTFUL RULER could return to form against these rivals and he has our vote marginally ahead of Woody Valentine and Insignia. The pick has gone off the boil recently but dropping down into selling company for the first time with terms in his favour he could put those poor efforts behind him over a trip that should suit. Insignia is another who has only really been solid at best in his latest efforts but his credible run in listed company behind Snoopy Loopy last summer rates as strong form in the context of this race. Woody Valentine has a pretty decent record in these races winning his last two starts in selling company. The latest came on his last run and he should at least be in the mix. Toss The Caber usually runs his race but looks to have too much form to overturn on his rivals so we'll take the chance that Rightful Ruler can capitalise on these terms.
Woody Valentine (USA) 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway to challenge 3 out, held on gamely from last, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Toss The Caber (10-13) by nk, 13 ran.
Classic Chic 8-1 (11-7) Towards rear, blundered 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Sea Cadet (11-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 16 ran.
Insignia (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Led until 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 31l behind Chunky Lad (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f am sll hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Strident (USA) 5-1 (10-9) Behind, struggling 6th, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 26l behind Toulouse Express (10-5) at Southwell 2m 1f stks (5) gd in Apr.
Toss The Caber (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon outpaced, hit 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Waltham Abbey (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
Magic of The Isles 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, led 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 13, 18l behind All Roads Lead (11-9) at Southwell 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Rockjumper 50-1 (10-7) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, brought down after 3rd, in a race won by Waltham Abbey (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd, 18 ran.
Brave Jewel (IRE) 11-4 (10-3) Took keen hold early, blundered 2nd, close up until weakened 13th, tailed off 3 out, last of 5, 46l behind Victree (9-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gf.
Little Hotpotch 150-1 (9-13) Towards rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Rio De Janeiro (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sell hdl (5) gd.
Zaville 40-1 (11-7) A bhnd; to & pu 3 out, in a race won by Queenies Girl (11-7) at Easingwold 3m ptp in Apr, 10 ran.
Speedy Directa (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 14, 37l behind Sir Ian (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Rightful Ruler 50-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 8th of 18, well behind Lysander (10-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Oct.
