held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, not fluent 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed when hampered and fell just after 2nd
held up in rear on outside, headway 6th, not fluent 3 out, led next, ridden clear flat
prominent, led 3rd, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
in touch, challenged 6th until ridden approaching 3 out, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, stayed on flat
held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, headway 6th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression flat
took keen hold, jumped right, led 2nd, headed next, lost place after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
A surprisingly small field for this and KING OF CASTILE is the call with Calzaghe and Manadam on the shortlist. The six-year-old seems to have shaken off the unreliability of his earlier years to go close on a number of occasions. While a number of seconds might put off some backers, we are hopeful that the application of blinkers rather than a visor can make the difference. Calzaghe needs little introduction to followers of plating events. He has to leave behind a very moderate run at Market Rasen last time out. Manadam enjoyed some good days with Lucinda Russell. He has yet to sparkle for new connections so a reproduction of his earlier form has to be taken on trust. Cape Secret has lots of duckeggs though Tony McCoy takes the ride this evening. Quiny Boy hails from a yard that are expert in landing these events and on official figures, he cannot be written off despite finishing tailed off at Uttoxeter on his last visit. A race that won't take much winning and King Of Castile is our shout.
Calzaghe (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 5th, driven next, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd 2 out, no impression, not fluent last, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Bandanaman (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell hdl (4) gf in Jun.
King of Castile 11-8fav (11-3) Chased winner until 5th, soon pushed along, driven along next, under strong pressure in 4th after 3 out, rallied to 3rd approaching last, went well held 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Dereks (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f nov sell hdl (5) gf.
Cape Secret (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Soon towards rear, struggling approaching 6th, soon behind, completely tailed off when pulled up after 6 out, in a race won by Spirit Tornado (11-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Jun, 16 ran.
General Simara 14-1 (9-9) In rear, mistake 1st, soon behind, hit 7th, jumped left and not fluent 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Tampa Boy (11-12) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf, 6 ran.
Manadam (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Towards rear, reminder after 8th, behind 12th, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Alfadora (10-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
Quiny Boy (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, mistake 3rd, lost place 5th, behind after next, tailed off, 8th of 9, 45l behind Holoko Heights (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
Woodfield Queen (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 21st of 25, well behind Cottage Oak (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in May.
