in touch, driven along approaching 3rd, weakened 5th
mid-division, progress after 5th, ridden 2 out, switched left flat, one pace
mid-division, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden along 5th, never near leaders
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and in touch when virtually fell last, pulled up quickly after
in touch, not fluent 3rd, lost place before mistake 4th, behind after
held up, headway approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, not recover
prominent, hampered 2nd, ridden after 5th, weakened 3 out, blundered last, virtually pulled up flat
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
held up, not fluent 1st or 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, no impression
held up, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, led last, ridden out
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching last, not quicken flat
led, jumped left 2nd, headed approaching 3rd, weakened from 2 out
prominent, led approaching 3rd, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra
always behind, tailed off 4th
A plethora of horses with chances here, and with that in mind the selection can only be tentative. Phillip Hobbs has two likely contenders in Oldrik and Hearthstead Wings but neither is bomb-proof and so White On Black gets the nomination on ground that should suit. Gary Moore has his horses in form and his six-year-old can win this despite carrying top-weight today. His last run looks better than the form figures suggest as he was only beaten six lengths and with this quicker ground expected to suit, he should go close. Oldrik looks marginally the better of the Hobbs duo as he has been in consistently good form whereas Hearthstead Wings makes his handicap debut today and doesn't look to be obviously well-treated. Tom Bell returns to timber after falling over fences last time out and has claims, along with Knightsbridge Hill who looked the likeliest winner when tipping up last time out. An open affair, and White On Black gets the nod.
Knightsbridge Hill (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Tracking leaders, led 6th, ridden and pecked 4 out, 3 lengths up when fell 2 out in race won by Bob Mountain (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Hearthstead Wings 1-2fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway to chase leader after 2nd, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Sahara Prince (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Oldrik (GER) 16-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, not reached leaders, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Altilhar (11-10) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Constable Burton 20-1 (11-1) Led and set good pace, headed approaching last, weakened, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Nocivo (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Osprey View (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed and ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 15, 12l behind Missis Potts (10-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Country Escape 66-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, hit 1st, ridden and some headway after 3 out, one pace, 7th of 17, 40l behind Osana (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Steig (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Tracked leading pair, never fluent, ridden and hung left after 5th, kept on same pace, last of 3, 12l behind Go Solo (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm in Apr.
White On Black (GER) 40-1 (10-8) Keen, close up, hit 2nd, chased winner 3 out, edged left bend over 2 out, driven and edged left again over 1 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 12, 6l behind Festive Chimes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
