in touch until weakened after 5th
behind from 4th
led to 5th, ridden to lead again 2 out, hit and headed last, no extra flat
in touch, led last, driven out
with leader, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up, headway 4th, ridden after next, one pace from 2 out
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened last
behind, headway after 5th, ridden 2 out, weakened quickly
chased leaders, hit 2nd and 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on
pulled hard, mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway after 5th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
Dual bumper winner Square Mile can land this finale from Zeis and Bronco Charlie. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding landed his first contest by twenty lengths and followed up under a penalty when a very warm favourite. The slight worry is fitness as he hasn't raced for over a year, but against this very weak opposition it worth taking a chance. His stable companion Bronco Charlie showed plenty of promise last time when fourth to Harrycat and should be vying for some place money. Zeis, a winner of two mile and a half claimers for Hughie Morrison in 2004, was just behind the leaders on his hurdles bow, when blundering away his rider. If he puts in a clear round he should make his presence felt. Zumrah a beaten favourite last time could prove best of the others, but if Square Mile can reproduce his bumper form over obstacles, he will be hard to beat.
Bronco Charlie (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased winner until weakened after 3 out, 4th of 13, 15l behind Harrycat (10-11) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (C) gf.
Broughton Knows 33-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, jumped slowly next, lost touch approaching 6th, well behind when mistake last, 5th of 8, 37l behind Kombinacja (10-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (D) gd in May '03.
Durba (AUS) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced when hit 5th, no danger after, 7th of 9, 49l behind Lago d'Oro (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul.
Giust In Temp (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 3rd, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 18l behind Compton Drake (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf.
Zeis (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, prominent when blundered and unseated rider in race won by Outside Investor (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hdl (G) gf, 12 ran.
Honest Injun 8-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching last, 8th of 14, 28l behind Siegfrieds Night (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Zumrah (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 12, well behind Compton Drake (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf.
Square Mile (IRE) 1-4fav (11-3) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Perth 2m nhf (H) gd in Jul '04 beating Clearly Oscar (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
