chased leader to 3rd, remained in touch, not fluent 5th, ridden before 9th, weakened 3 out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened last
held up in rear, took keen hold, not much room 3rd, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, some headway when not fluent 6th, pushed along and in rear 8th, struggling after next
held up, headway 9th, soon ridden, closed on leading pair 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, held when not much room last strides
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to chase leader approaching 4th, led before 2 out, edged left flat, driven out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until before next, hit 8th, soon lost place, tailied off when pulled up before 3 out
A trappy seven runner affair and we'll take a chance with SONNY MULLEN who can put his hurdling experience to good use ahead of Horseford and Son Histoire. The five-year-old won a decent looking summer bumper by 21 lengths on his racecourse debut before switching straight to hurdles, a move that saw the gelding take second on heavy ground at Haydock. The form of that race looks nothing special but hopefully Sonny Mullen will have learned plenty for the experience and that may enable him to go one better today with conditions to suit. The main danger comes from David Pipe's Horseford who made his debut for the yard when winning a Fontwell bumper last time out. That game effort was the horses first run since placing in a point-to-point back in the spring, all of which suggests that today¿s step up to 3m should prove ideal and if handling the testing conditions Tom Scudamore's mount must be seriously respected as the likely favourite from such a powerful stable. Son Histoire completes the shortlist representing Phillip Hobbs. The five-year-old remains a maiden after eight starts, six of those coming over hurdles, but has been gradually progressing and has at least proven his stamina for this trip, something which will stand the gelding in good stead during the likely slog to the line. The feeling is that a less exposed animal may have this ones measure but nevertheless he must be considered given the likely conditions. Of the remainder only Panda Bay makes serious appeal after a mildly promising debut over obstacles at this course whilst Ask High will at least enjoy the ground but our idea of the winner is Sonny Mullen.
Ash High (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, well behind Palypso De Creek (11-4) at Towcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Horsford (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Made all, clear over 3f out, hung right and tired inside final furlong, held on (no time taken), won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs beating Iona Days (11-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Lord Of Creevard (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 6th of 10, 37l behind Persian Gates (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Panda Bay 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 8th, not fluent 9th, not fluent and weakened 3 out, went modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 10, 31l behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Son Histoire (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Lord Generous (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Sonny Mullen (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Le Platino (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Newton Blossom 150-1 (10-5) Always in rear, pushed along 6th, mistake 7th, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Speed Bonnie Boat (10-10) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
