held up, headway over 5f out, ridden when left 2nd over 2f out, no chance with winner
held up, headway 8f out, weakened over 3f out
made all, left clear over 2f out, ridden and ran green inside final furlong, unchallenged
prominent, chased winner 6f out, ridden when broke near hind leg and fell over 2f out
dropped to rear after 5f, tailed off when pulled up 7f out
pulled hard, chased leader to 6f out, weakened 4f out
in touch, ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out
always behind, tailed off final 5f
held up, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression
Where's My Baby is the pick over Noble Raider, Adare Prince and Battlecry, with Asparagus Wingnut worth a mention if only for his name. Where's My Baby was putting in all his best work at the finish when second to Sherwood's Folly in an Exeter bumper eight months ago, and has been given plenty of time to recover. Sure to have been well galloped, Jonjo O'Neill's four-year-old is selected to open his account at the second time of asking. Noble Raider was sent off as market leader at Market Rasen on his second run in June, but may not have found conditions slow enough and was only placed behind Sashenka. He will be expected to figure here with conditions in his favour. Adare Prince is from a top yard, while Battlecry's trainer generally produces them fit and ready. Asparagus Wingnut's yard always seem to unleash at least one decent animal at this level each season as well, so he has to merit a mention at least, but for the winner we return to Where's My Baby.
Adare Prince (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of winning hurdler Legal Challenge.
Asparagus Wingnut (IRE) In The Wings gelding, half-brother to 7f-1m2f winner Desert Cristal.
Battlecry Accordion gelding out of smart winning jumper Miss Orchestra.
Noble Raider (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, challenged over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Sashenka (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Pie Marsh (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up in rr; wknd 10; t.o & pulled up 3 out in race won by Ballyclement (11-7) at Garthorpe 2m 4f ptp gd in May, 11 ran.
The Beaming Bandit (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden from halfway, never nearer, 8th of 17, 43l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-13) at Warwick 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
Where's My Baby (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway under pressure from 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Sherwoods Folly (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Feb.
Private Note 33-1 (11-5) Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, left 3rd over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Little Saltee (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) sft in Jan '05.
