led to 2nd, prominent to 9th, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
soon chasing leaders, ridden 8th, weakened next
chased leaders to 9th, 4th and weakening when pulled up before 3 out
behind, bumped 3rd, headway approaching 4th, went 2nd after 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
in touch until weakened after 6th
chased leader, led 2nd, clear 2 out, easily
keen, mid-division, effort when pecked 8th, weakened after next
towards rear, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, ridden 3 out, kept on to take poor 3rd towards finish
held up and keen, headway after 6th, weakened after next
not fluent, mid-division, lost place 6th, soon ridden and behind
mid-division, mistake 5th, lost place next, soon behind
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Making it onto the short list are Sky Mack, Rye Brook, Port Of Mogan and Kyno, with the vote going to Sky Mack. Much as he looks the type to do just enough in his races, Sky Mack looked on the upgrade last time when beating the Paul Nicholls-trained Picts Hill at Wincanton, and he can confirm that view today. Rye Brook is of obvious interest from the Paul Nicholls yard, being a bumper winner in 2003 that has displayed recent wellbeing by winning in the pointing fields. Port Of Mogan is very interesting because of his breeding and stable, so keep an eye on him in the betting. A return to his bumper form of 2005 would give Code claims, and he races in first-time cheekpieces today, while Kyno's handicap second from a mark of 105 last time makes him an obvious contender in a race that lacks strength. Of the others, The Bay Bridge has shown some promise, as has Silent Dream, while Possextown has yet to transfer good chasing form to hurdles and Legal Glory has, disappointingly, failed to build on his Hereford bumper debut win. All of which spins us back to the selection, which is Sky Mack.
Kyno (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led after 2nd, headed before 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Gaelic Roulette (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Sky Mack (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up last, headway from 7th, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on flat, all out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Picts Hill (11-0) by a nk, 12 ran.
Cape Teal (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Led to before 5th, struggling from next, hampered 7th, 9th of 15, 27l behind Granite Man (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Possextown (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, struggling 6th, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 37l behind Countrywide Sun (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Rye Brook 11-8 (11-0) Held up; hdwy 12; led 15; held on wl flat, won at Bratton Down 3m ptp frm in Jun beating Let's Fly (11-0) by a nk, 5 ran.
The Bay Bridge (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-2) Behind, headway 9th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 23l behind Delightful Cliche (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Code (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 4th of 8, well behind Keswick (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Silent Dream 25-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 37l behind Ballyshan (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
