led, headed after 3 out, ridden and weakened next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led after 3 out, headed next, soon ridden and weakened
held up behind, tailed off from 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, challenged next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, all out
held up, headway 3rd, driven to lead narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra towards finish
chased leader to 3rd, outpaced 3 out, soon behind
John Wade has his string in good order at present and Stormy Lord gave further evidence of that when a creditable third on unsuitably fast ground at Kelso last time so the 10-year-old is taken to resume winning ways now that he races on a softer surface with Haditovski and Only Words rated the main dangers. Haditovski has been beaten by a couple of well handicapped rivals in his last two starts but still gives the impression that he is probably a shade high in the weights at present and is due to go down 2lbs in future handicaps. Mezereon has yet to prove himself on ground this soft, while The Pen would not appear to be particularly well treated for his debut in this grade over hurdles. I'm Your Man ran better here last time behind Etoile Russe but that was on fast ground and he is another that has yet to confirm that he has the same amount of ability under today's conditions. Recent course and distance winner Only Words remains on a handy mark and could be of interest back on a softer surface but Stormy Lord has an obvious chance and he gets the vote.
Stormy Lord (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Pulled hard, headway to lead 3rd, headed 2 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Wee Dinns (10-9) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Haditovski 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 21l behind Merryvale Man (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Mezereon 5-6fav (11-2) Disputed lead, headed passing 3 out, rallied and every chance passing last, stayed on close home, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Silvo (10-12) at Fakenham 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
The Pen 5-1 (10-9) Held up, headway to chase leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, weakened when blundered last, 7th of 10, 35l behind Aviation (11-2) at Wetherby 2m lst nov hdl (A) sft in Oct.
I'm Your Man 66-1 (9-10) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, ridden next, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Etoile Russe (10-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Only Words (USA) 14-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m amt hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr beating Cayman Calypso (11-2) by a nk, 21 ran.
Finbar's Law 7-1 (11-5) Led until approaching 2nd, in touch until 4th, behind when mistake 5th, tailed off from 2 out, 9th of 13, well behind Ranelagh Gray (11-9) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Apr '04.
