took keen hold in rear, headway 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat
held up in touch, reminder and lost place approaching 4th, rallied 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, behind from 5th, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden and lost place approaching 4th, always behind after
led, headed after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 5th, led 2 out, hit last, soon headed, not quicken
held up in touch, led briefly approaching 2 out, disputing 3rd but held when fell last
held up, headway when not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, slightly hampered last
always prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on flat
in rear, not fluent 4th, pecked 5th, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, led soon after last, driven out
with leader to 3 out, soon weakened
not fluent, always behind, tailed off approaching 5th
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out
In a wide open contest a chance is taken with First Centurion, Scarlet Mix and Cockspur may provide most danger. The selection was rated in the high eighties on the flat back in 2004 but has been a bit in the doldrums since. However he looked on the way back when running well at Chepstow in May. His previous hurdles form is nothing special but he is weighted accordingly and it would be no surprise to see him return to form this afternoon. Cockspur hails from the in form Jonjo O'Neill stable and this bumper winner doesn't look too badly treated on his handicap debut. Meanwhile Scarlet Mix showed improved form last time when chasing home Robbie Can Can at Towcester and should be again involved in the finish. Knightsbridge Hill may come out best of the rest, but a better each-way shot looks to be our selection First Centurion.
Atahuelpa 33-1 (9-12) Took keen hold, led, quickened after 5th, headed after next, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Take A Mile (10-5) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Knightsbridge Hill (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 14, 14l behind Ken's Dream (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Hashid (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, driven after 7th, one pace under pressure after 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 13, 13l behind Pretty Star (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Mar '05.
Cockspur (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 32l behind Kontinent (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Just Superb 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division, lost place after 4th, slightly hampered 3 out, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 14l behind Daryal (11-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov.
Kickahead (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4th, weakening when hit 2 out, 7th of 9, 24l behind Opera de Coeur (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Speed Venture 5-2fav (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Elegant Clutter (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
Turn Of Phrase (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 5th pulled up 5 out in race won by Wise Tale (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Sept '05, 12 ran.
Once Seen 13-2 (11-11) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Cristoforo (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in May '05.
Super Judge (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In touch, led after 4th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 16, 43l behind From Dawn To Dusk (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Inn For The Dancer 15-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, hit last, hard ridden flat, headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Avesomeofthat (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Scarlet Mix (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden to lead 2 out, joined last, headed and no extra, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Robbie Can Can (11-9) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Bonnet's Pieces 9-1 (10-10) Led, headed 2nd, led again 3 out, ridden and headed when weakened last and not fluent, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Miss Mitch (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Mysteri Dancer 25-1 (10-3) Led, ridden and headed 6th, weakening when left 3rd and hampered 2 out, 4th of 13, 15l behind Travel (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jul '04.
First Centurion 13-2 (11-2) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and mistake last, 4th of 14, 14l behind Elegant Clutter (11-1) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Mescalera (GER) 66-1 (10-10) Never near leaders, 7th of 15, 33l behind Apollo Lady (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
