tracked leader until 2nd, stayed in 3rd, led approaching 2 out, driven and kept on flat, headed close home
took keen hold, headway to track leader 2nd, left in lead on bend after 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened quickly and soon behind
held up, headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up in rear, good headway on outside travelling well before 2 out, joined leader soon after 2 out, edged right before last, upsides and every chance when fell last
held up, headway approaching 2 out, staying on when not much room between last 2, left disputing close 2nd last, stayed on under pressure flat
led, hit 1st, ran out on bend after next
tracked leading pair, left 2nd after 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, outpaced when not much room between last 2, weakened before last
tracked leaders, left disputing close 2nd last, stayed on under pressure flat, led close home
held up in last pair, pushed along in inside before 2 out, no impression when left modest 4th last
Towcester winner Giant O Murchu could be vulnerable under a penalty on this much easier track, while Dancewiththedevil may have been flattered by his Worcester success and is also worth taking on with the extra. Swift Chap could be interesting on his handicap debut over hurdles, however, and Penchesco is fit form the Flat though is still a maiden over timber. Forest Rhythm needs further and James Pollard tends to find little off the bridle so we'll stick with BOLANDERI, who looks to be on an upward curve and quickened nicely to win a novices' handicap at Worcester last month. He could defy an 11lb weight rise.
Penchesco (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Surf And Turf (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Led, clear 2nd, hit 4th, mistake 6th, reduced lead soon after, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 7th of 13, 25l behind Trovare (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mistake 1st, held up, headway to chase leaders 7th, mistakes 10th and next, soon lost place, poor 6th when refused and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Earth Planet (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chase (4) gd in Jun, 9 ran.
Giant O Murchu (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd going well 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) fm beating Back To Paris (10-6) by 5l, 9 ran.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, went 3rd before 3 out, led next, clear flat, easily, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd beating Argaum (10-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Cossack Prince 12-1 (11-2) Jumped right, led until 2nd, pressed leader, led again 4th, headed after 3 out, no extra last, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 19l behind Tara Warrior (11-3) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Swift Chap 7-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent 3rd, challenged after 4th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Green Du Ciel (10-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 4yo mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
James Pollard (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Held up disputing 3rd, closed after 3 out, awkward last 2, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Mister Fantastic (10-13) at Stratford 2m am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Bolanderi (USA) 6-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching last, led flat, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep beating Naledi (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
