tracked winner, lost place 4 out, weakened next, soon tailed off
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
made all, ridden 2 out, drew clear between last 2, stayed on well, comfortably
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase winner 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon no impression
close-up on outside, outpaced 4 out, fourth and beaten when mistake next, soon weakened, tailed off
behind, lost touch 8th, soon tailed off
mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
in touch, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off from 3 out
Not a strong heat for the stayers and LORD GENEROUS gets the vote ahead of Son Histoire. The latter will be no easybeat after putting together a solid staying profile since the turn of the year, and in particular when stepped up to 2m 6f at Newton Abbot when last seen in April. Good ground suits and the yard is in decent form, so the gelding should be bang there. However, Lord Generous showed a marked improvement in form when tackling this sort of trip and the stiff Towcester circuit last time, when he may have needed the run after a break. Andrew Boxhall has now acquired the services of A P McCoy in the plate, and if there is more to come then you can bet your last pound that the champ will be able to bring it out, so we will take him to score. Point winner Holmwood Legend will get this trip and shouldn't mind the ground, and he is not passed over lightly despite his advancing years, while Paddy Live might be capable of improving on his seasonal return at Bangor last month and market support would be interesting given his yard. Pantalaimon's ability of old would entitle him to plenty of respect here, though he has fitness to prove after a lengthy lay-off, while former-French chaser Iphar should stay, but has to prove he handles the ground and is tricky to assess. Peterova is related to staying hurdle winner Curtins Hill and merits respect on this, his hurdling debut, and Irish point winner Ashfield's Dream has joined notable improver Evan Williams since his last start in April, and is well worth a market check. A fair bit of interest here then and Lord Generous gets the vote.
Holmwood Legend 33-1 (10-7) In touch, went second 5th, led approaching 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, edged left after last, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Sprosser (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Iphar (FR) 5-2 (12-0) In tch to 15, 4th of 6, 28l behind What Of It (12-0) at Upper Sapey 3m ptp gd in May.
Lord Generous 11-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon chasing winner, kept on, always held, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Palypso De Creek (11-4) at Towcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Malmoos (USA) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 8th of 11, 34l behind Lord Crewe (10-13) at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) sft in Oct '07.
Paddy Live (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not much room 2 out, staying on encouragingly when switched left between last 2, hit last, ran on to take 3rd flat, never near to challenge, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Qianshan Leader (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Pantalaimon 11-4fav (11-5) Made most to 3 out, ridden but still every chance when went lame and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cardinal Spirit (11-5) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb '08, 14 ran.
Peterova (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leader 2f, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Friendship Bay (11-4) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gs in Oct.
Son Histoire (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division until outpaced approaching 3 out, 15 lengths down 2 out, stayed on strongly, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Galaxy Rock (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Knockiterra Lass 66-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, weakened after 5th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Palmito (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Ashfield's Dream (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd 5f out, lost place and no extra from before straight, 12th of 21, 31l behind Brog An Ri (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 1f 5yo nhf sft in May.
