led to 3rd, prominent until weakened 3 out, jumped left 2 out
held up, headway 5th, stumbled and fell after 7th
held up in touch, led soon after 6th, jumped left final 3f, headed flat, not quicken
held up in touch, every chance after 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, led approaching 5th, stumbled and headed 6th, weakened after 7th
held up, headway 7th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on
held up, driven along 6th, headway next, stayed on same pace from 3 out
chased leader, led 3rd until approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
From a short list for this race containing Sakenos, Football Crazy and Grave Doubts, we will side with Sakenos. Having won his maiden hurdle in good style last time, Sakenos might just be getting his act together now and, with his rating looking fair, he can go well on his handicap debut. Football Crazy would hold very good claims based on his 2004 form and, with a recent Flat run under his belt and with Mick Fitzgerald booked, he cannot be ruled out today. Grave Doubts turns out quickly under a penalty following a very good win here over four furlongs shorter and, clearly in great heart, is very much respected. Winning chaser Magic Sky lacks recent run, Moon Catcher's winning run came to an end behind Grave Doubts last time, although he is now ten pounds better off for nine-and-a-half lengths based on that run. Marrel has won in the past from his current mark, while Goss remains above a winning mark but could go well following a fair Stratford run last time. The Names Bond has a similar profile, other than the fact that he is unproven at today's trip. Finally, Sky Warrior is well weighted based on his best chasing form, which includes a victory here, but Forzacurity has it to do from out of the weights. Once again, then, the vote goes to Sakenos.
Football Crazy (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led to 3rd, remained close up, struggling from 3 out, 7th of 17, 18l behind Rooftop Protest (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Grave Doubts 9-2co-fav (10-1) Chased leaders, led going well just after 3 out, jumped right last, comfortably, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Jun beating The Rising Moon (10-1) by 6l, 9 ran.
Marrel 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 10th, ridden, headed 2 out, every chance last, rallied run-in, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Dalriath (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in May.
Sakenos (POL) 4-5fav (11-3) Made all, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Skidmark (11-3) by 6l, 14 ran.
Goss 28-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 7l behind Foodbroker Founder (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
The Names Bond 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway when hung right approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, hd behind Master Nimbus (10-4) at Wetherby 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Magic Sky (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, bumped 1st, effort when hampered 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 17l behind Bill's Echo (9-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
Moon Catcher 9-2co-fav (10-6) Held up, driven along 8th, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, edged left approaching last, edged left and no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Grave Doubts (10-1) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Jun.
