led to 11th, hit 12th, weakened before 4 out
chased leader, led 11th to 4 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division until pulled up before 10th
held up, mistake 5th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, third when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
in touch, reminder 8th, ridden 12th, soon weakened
prominent, chased leader 13th, led 4 out, pushed clear from 3 out
pulled early and chased leader, ridden and held when fell 3 out
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from last
held up behind, mistake 12, ridden and headway 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace from last
In this handicap, Liberty Run is nominated over Phenix Jack and John Diamond. Smoke Trail has been disappointing since winning over two miles here but blinkers are tried today and Melford is just a pound above his Fakenham winning mark but he has not run since January 2006. Legal Glory looked promising as a novice but he also has not had much racing over the last 18 months. Liberty Run ran pretty well on his seasonal reappearance last time and, even though he needs a career-best effort if he is going to score, it is not beyond him, we feel. John Diamond is lightly raced and holds scope for further improvement, while the Paul Nicholls-trained Phenix Jack has to be of interest on his British debut and the market will tell you more. With Manly Money having to defy a rise in the weights for his narrow Exeter win if he is going to score, we return to the selection, which is Liberty Run.
Its Crucial (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (10-9) Led, clear 4th, reduced lead when headed and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 27l behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 34l behind The Wicketkeeper (10-10) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf.
Melford (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden 13th, headway 3 out, led before last, ran on well, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan '06 beating Harrycone Lewis (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Legal Glory (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) In touch, hit 13th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 17l behind Sparkling Taff (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Liberty Ben (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Manly Money (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
John Diamond (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, behind when mistake last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov '06.
Phenix Jack (FR) (10-6) Chased leader, went on 3 out, headed run-in, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Sauta Plech (10-3) at Pau 2m 3f chs in Jan.
Manly Money 15-2 (10-9) In touch, chased leaders on bit 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, led approaching last, headed after, rallied to lead close home, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Oct beating Cossack Dancer (11-11) by a hd, 7 ran.
Theocritus (GER) 15-2 (11-1) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 11th, jumped slowly 4 out, soon ridden, ran on well from last, just failed, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Terrible Tenant (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
