in touch, lost place 6th, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held-up, headway after 6th, challenged approaching 2 out, led last, headed flat, stayed on
led, jumped right 3rd, mistake 8th, headed 9th, weakend approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 9th, headed approaching 2 out, weakening when jumped right last
held-up, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed last, led again flat, driven out
prominent, reminder after 5th, lost place 6th, behind 7th, tailed up when pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
Nippy des Mottes, Green Finger and Ryders Storm are the three to look at here, with Nippy des Mottes set to take advantage of a recent run to come out on top. Green Finger won twice last year, and although he is considerably higher in the weights now, he has been running consistently and will be thereabouts again. Ryders Storm has won his last three starts in decisive fashion, but ventures into handicap company for the first time. He has a task at the weights, and his fitness has to be taken on trust, although he is clearly a progressive type. Nippy des Mottes has failed to score since winning at Wincanton in January, and although he was a little disappointing last time, that run has seen the handicapper drop him to a mark just a pound higher than he won over at Wincanton. Nippy des Mottes can take adavantage of this concession, and land this competitive affair.
Ryders Storm (USA) 4-6fav (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leader 4 out, led next, clear next, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (4) gf in May '06 beating Vingis Park (11-1) by 15l, 3 ran.
Almaydan 4-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, hit 8th, blundered 10th and next, mistake and stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Nycteos (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 6-1 (11-8) In touch, hit 7th, lost place and ridden 4 out, hung left after 3 out but some progress, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 13l behind Glengarra (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Big Rob (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Led until 8th, chased winner after, ridden approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 15l behind Black Hills (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Apr.
Ross Comm 20-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden and weakened 5 out, 5th of 23, 23l behind Hot Weld (9-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, stayed on one pace approaching last, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Duke of Buckingham (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Towards rear, blundered badly 11th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Ball O Malt (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Jul.
Allumee 9-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, blundered 3rd, mistake 4th, lost place, behind when pulled up before 7th pulled up at the 7th in race won by Glengarra (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
