A weak affair with little quality about it so PROPER ARTICLE is the pick with Falcon's Tribute and Quil Est Beau others to make the requisite shortlist. The selection has dropped down the weights though not without good reason. He almost scrambled home in a Fontwell seller and it is to be hoped that the application of first time blinkers can bring about the difference this afternoon. Falcon's Tribute appears to cope with fast ground. Well backed at Hexham, this is her level. Quil Est Beau was a winner in France on the flat. The trainer persists again with headgear. Lightly weighted, Sarahs Gift is surprisingly dropped in trip after campaigning over much further. Southwell specialist, Russian Invader, has an away day at Worcester this afternoon. Classic Shot is watched in the market under Tony McCoy despite the fact that he has shown very limited ability under rules so far. Freedom Flying is well exposed in the North over hurdles though was well beaten on her first outing over chase fences. Proper Article is the selection to the most minimal stake levels possible.
Proper Article (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, with leader 2nd, led approaching 5th, headed soon after last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Working Late (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gd in Jun.
Russian Invader (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway under pressure 4 out, left moderate 3rd, 3rd of 11, 23l behind Best Of The Lot (11-7) at Southwell 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May.
Popcorn Rosie 9-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Just Like That (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Bythehokey (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 14, 27l behind Saafend Rocket (10-10) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Another Present (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway when mistake 4th, weakening when mistake 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Marked Man (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 16 ran.
Classic Shot (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) (cp) a bhnd; to, 3rd of 5, 45l behind Sheknowsyouknow (11-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp in May.
Falcon's Tribute (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out, no danger after, 5th of 9, 19l behind Trafalgar Man (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Quil Est Beau (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until outpaced after 5th, stayed on same pace from next, went 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Dreams Jewel (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
Baarrij 40-1 (11-5) Never better than mid-division, struggling 8th, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Classic Quart (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Waziri (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) (tt) last when mist 9; pu nxt, in a race won by Philomena (11-7) at Cherrybrook 3m ptp in Apr '08, 7 ran.
Chicago Jazz (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden and lost place 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Gamma Velorum (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Freedom Flying 22-1 (10-6) Mid-division, pushed along 5 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 17l behind Uptown Lad (9-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Sarahs Gift (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Chased leaders, bumped and lost place 5th, progress to go 3rd after 8th, 3 lengths down when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Milton Des Bieffes (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jun, 6 ran.
Queen Excalibur 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 46l behind Pips Assertive Way (11-9) at Worcester 2m sell hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Jun.
