ridden and weakened approaching 5th, soon behind
tracked leaders to ridden and outpaced from 4 out
in rear, ridden and some headway 5th, onepaced from next
in touch, headway 5th, going well and every chance approaching 2 out, ridden soon after, not clear run, switched left approaching last, no impression
held up towards rear, reminders 5th, ridden and kept on from next
held up towards rear, headway 5th to chase leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch on inside, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, hung right approaching last, ran on flat
tracked leader, led 5th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, mistake last, eased flat, lame
This is the most open race on the card, with the likes of classy Mr Cool, nicely weighted Sonevafushi, and the likes of Persian King and Unleash not out of it despite being out of the handicap. Sonevafushi gets the vote. The Venetia Williams-trained inmate, named after a holiday island in the Maldives, has been threatening to win a decent race for some time and would have been closer to Edmo Heights at Aintree but for clouting the last. Bought after showing useful form in France, this will be his first taste of ground faster than good, and providing he handles it, can make the most of the weight he receives from Mr Cool. Pipe's nine-year-old has been been keeping very good company since being switched from fences and it is hoped that this less exacting opposition will see him go close. Cenkos is interesting as he has not run over hurdles since his British debut at Newbury in 1998. Paul Nichols reports him in rude health after his recent Warwick success and is keen to find out how the handicapper will rate him over timber.
