held up, hampered 5th, headway approaching 6th, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on to lead last, edged left flat
mid-division, ridden 4th, losing place and badly hampered 5th, not recover
held up, headway on outside 5f out, weakened 3f out
tracked leader, ridden and not fluent 4th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway 4 out, on inside, ridden 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 5th, weakening when mistake 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 5th, weakened soon after
in touch, close up when fell 5th
in touch, lost place from 3rd, tailed off 5th, mistake 3 out
led, ridden 3 out, headed last, ran on
towards rear, ridden 5th, brief effort soon after
A chance is taken with Vibe, who is selected ahead of the in-form Mount Usher and Over Ice, while Zizou is an interesting one to note in the betting. Zizou is lightly raced over the last couple of seasons and obviously needs to prove his fitness. However, there is not much strength in depth here and, with the ground in his favour; he could be a surprise package if he runs to the very best of his past form. Over Ice kept plugging away to claim a share of prize money last time out and would not really need to find a lot more to play a similar role today. Watch the betting carefully where he is concerned. Mount Usher will be popular after his win at Perth 10 days ago. The gelding has 7lb extra to carry as a result of those exploits, but it was a most encouraging effort and a repeat dose would make him hard to beat. However, he has a big task under 12st-5lb and needs everything to go his way. His jockey's claim is an obvious help but this is a stronger race and the Matt Gingell's charge looks vulnerable under top weight. Therefore, it may be worth chancing everything falling into place for Vibe on this occasion. The gelding has long threatened to win a race over jumps and, as this is just about as weak an opening as he will ever find, this could finally be the day for Vibe to come good.
Mount Usher 8-1 (10-3) Held up, smooth headway 3 out, blundered and led 2 out, kept on, won at Perth 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd beating Fiddlers Creek (9-7) by 8l, 8 ran.
Zizou (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 49l behind Native American (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 3f hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul '07.
Shade Bonny 16-1 (10-12) Held up, keen early, mistake 6th, short-lived effort approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 42l behind Le Beau Bai (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Asbury Park 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fantasy Legend (10-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Fortune Point (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Led to 4th, weakened from 3 out, 12th of 16, 35l behind Pipers Legend (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Vibe 5-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent, disputing modest 6th 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat to take 2nd near post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 11l behind Yellow Flag (10-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Over Ice 50-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd, never near leading pair, 3rd of 11, 33l behind Our Choice (11-5) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Limit (GER) 12-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, held up in rear, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 16l behind Charge It (11-3) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Picky 20-1 (10-5) Held up, effort 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off from 2 out, 5th of 6, well behind Georgian King (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Another Conker 100-1 (10-7) Soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Indian Pipe Dream (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Mattaking (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, soon hung left, 7th of 12, well behind Native City (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Vicky Bee 7-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 28l behind Lilac (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf in May '07.
