held up, jumped left 9th to 11th, headway approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leader until 9th, soon ridden, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
winner, in rear, driven along from 9th, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish
prominent, jumped left 2nd, driven along from 5th, hung left and weakened 11th
took keen hold, led, not fluent 1st, ridden after 2 out, headed and no extra towards finish
held up in touch, went 2nd and not fluent 9th, ridden after 11th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Cullian, Caveman and Don Valentino and the vote is given to Caveman. The selection won well last time out when beating Heavy Weather and although having a penalty for that win he looks sure to improve for this longer trip and is taken to win again. Cullian rates the main danger on his latest third behind Eljay's Boy but he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him on that occasion and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Don Valentino is another that could go well on his best form but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 327 day absence. Of the remainder Zumrah is another with a chance on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence and in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to Caveman who at least is at the top of his game.
Zumrah (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Held up, keen, towards rear when pulled up 4 out in race won by Moon Catcher (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf, 11 ran.
Don Valentino (POL) 4-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tonic Du Charmil (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf in Jul, 10 ran.
Caveman 12-1 (11-2) Behind, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gd beating Heavy Weather (11-2) by 1l, 12 ran.
Cullian 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, ridden 9th, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Eljay's Boy (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Dante's Back (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next, 7th of 14, 29l behind Lambrini Bianco (11-0) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
La Bandido (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, reminders 3rd, 5th 4 out, soon no impression, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Aoife's Tiny (10-11) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hacp hdl gs in May.
Lost In The Snow (IRE) 3-1fav (12-0) Bad hmpd 2; went 2nd 12; rdn app 2 out; stayed on flat, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Arrows Gold (12-0) at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd in May.
Quarrymount 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 18l behind Spinaround (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
