mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, one pace
took keen hold early, held up in touch, weakened after 6th
held up, headway 3 out, every chance last, stayed on one pace flat
held up, some headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened next, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in touch, tecked 1st, led 7th, headed flat, edged slightly left, no extra
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, switched right after 2 out, no extra approaching last
behind until pulled up lame after 7th
prominent on outside, ridden after 7th, weakening when not fluent 2 out
mid-division, headway after 7th, led flat, driven clear
prominent, weakened after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, dismounted after finish
held up towards rear, never near leaders
held up, mistake 4th, struggling when not fluent 5th, well behind when jumped left 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, pecked 7th, clear when pulled up and dismounted before 3 out
took keen hold, chased leader, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, led approaching 6th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 6th, behind when mistake 2 out
led, headed approaching 6th, outpaced after 7th, stayed on from 2 out
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Ask The Umpire, Pardon What, and Doris Souter and the vote is given to Ask The Umpire. The selection was a fair fourth behind Kings Castle last time out. That form has since been franked and under conditions that suit and off the same mark here he looks the one to be on. Pardon What rates the main danger on his best form but he ran as if the handicapper had caught up with him when eighth behind Esters Boy last time out and for that reason he is opposed. Doris Souter is another worthy of respect on her latest fourth behind Space Cowboy but she has yet to prove she stays this far and for that reason is passed over on this occasion. Great Compton was a fair second behind Taranai last time and could go well at a price but this looks much more competitive. Hard N Sharp is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks high enough in the weights for what he has actually archived. Of the remainder Caspian Dusk could improve for the fitting of first time cheek pieces and he could go well despite top weight but in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum and the market will be very informative for the winner we return to Ask The Umpire.
Caspian Dusk 16-1 (10-13) Always behind, 8th of 11, 43l behind Phar Out Phavorite (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Oct.
Business Traveller (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up rear, good headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 9l behind Celtic Son (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Jan.
Hard N Sharp 11-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, headway 7th, led and mistake 3 out, headed next, 3rd and held when hit last, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Don't Ask Me (10-1) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Oct.
Ask The Umpire (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 16l behind Kings Castle (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gd in May.
Pardon What 10-1 (10-12) Chased leader, jumped slowly 4th and 9th, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 9, 39l behind Esters Boy (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Treasure Trail 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken flat, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Young Tot (11-2) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Oct.
Doris Souter (IRE) 3-1fav (10-4) Prominent, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 11l behind Space Cowboy (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gf in Aug.
Great Compton 6-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, led approaching 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Taranai (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Jun.
