Chord is the pick with Lancer Scott and Raider Of The East the most feasible alternatives. Chord's second to Songe at Huntingdon appears to be the stand out line of form in this race and while he faced a hopeless task at Aintree in Grade 1 company, this assignment represents a massive drop in class. Lancer Scott is a half-brother to Quarrymount so the trip really should hold few fears. He hasn't looked to be getting home having travelled well in his early races. Raider Of The East is potentially very interesting. He failed to trouble the judge in a couple of Northern bumpers and at one stage in his life, raised 260 000 guineas at public auction. Kevin Morgan is having a fair season by his standards. Centenary is just very slow. Baaher attracted interest on hurdling debut at Southwell though never threatened to land the spoils. Disco Queen is plating class while Leonard Charles makes a hurdling debut having sunk without trace on the flat. An obvious opportunity that should be taken wholeheartedly by Chord.
Baaher (USA) 14-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, led, jumped right, bumped 3rd, headed next, disputing 2nd when blundered 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 30l behind Sky Calling (10-7) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Centenary (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up, soon well behind, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Proper (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Chord 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader to 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Binocular (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Apr, 10 ran.
Lancer Scott 15-2 (10-11) Held up, headway after 6th, shaken up after 3 out, kept on to go distant 3rd approaching 2 out, 3rd of 9, 41l behind Sergheyev (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Leonard Charles 40-1 (9-8) Towards rear, brief effort 4f out, never on terms, last of 11, 24l behind Lunar River (9-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jul (Flat).
Pole Dancer 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 14, 26l behind Bedizen (11-0) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Raider of The East (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up behind, good headway over 4f out, soon hung left, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 11l behind Rubys Cove (11-2) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Surdoue 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Basalt (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Sydneyroughdiamond 28-1 (10-11) Led, soon clear, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Alsadaa (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug '07.
A Nod And A Wink (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Always rear division, 11th of 13, 11l behind Prince Valentine (8-11) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd (Flat).
Disco Queen (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In touch, headway 5th, weakened 6th, 9th of 12, well behind Supreme Being (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Sea Cookie 40-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, mistake 3 out, dismounted when pulled up at the last in race won by Wildbach (11-11) at Worcester 2m sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Aug, 11 ran.
