tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden 2 out, challenged and all out from last
in touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, every chance from last, no extra
in touch, pushed along from 4th, plugged on from 3 out
led, headed 5th, weakened approaching next
towards rear, some progress approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, ridden 4th, mistake when behind next, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, lost place 3rd, behind when mistake 5th
always in rear
mid-division, not fluent 1st, ridden 3 out and held
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
FACTOTUM is taken to defy a penalty and follow up from his success at Uttoxeter last month, while both Vacario and King¿s Alchemist are worth noting. The selection is still only lightly raced over hurdles with three runs under his belt. He did however win back to back races on the level for Luca Cumani earning himself a flat rating in the 80¿s. He was a short priced favourite when winning his first hurdle race and with further improvement still to come he can win again without too much trouble. Vacario won a bumper race on his race course debut and won third time of asking over hurdles over course and distance last month. He is officially rated four pounds below the selection and will have to run a personal best if he is overturn the O¿Neill/McCoy combination. King¿s Alchemist won at Plumton in April but receives a four year old weight allowance. He will prove to be the biggest danger to the selection as he is officially rated one pound higher and with the weight allowance he should be closely monitored in the betting market. That said Factotum looks a class above his rivals and will prove difficult to beat.
Factotum 4-6fav (10-12) Held up, headway on 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Marley Roca (10-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Vacario (GER) 85-40 (10-12) Chased leader to 2nd, remained prominent, 2nd again 5th, carried left after 3 out, switched right after 2 out, led flat, ridden clear towards finish, won at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Kilrogan (10-9) by 6l, 11 ran.
King's Alchemist 13-8 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, went 2nd 7th, not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 10l behind Horseford Hill (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Benefit Game (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, fell last, in a race won by Rockers Field (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Apr, 16 ran.
Galilean (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Not fluent and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Psychological (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd, 12 ran.
Jeanry (FR) 100-1 (10-13) In touch, raced keenly, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, well behind Miss Phoebe (10-2) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gf.
Owen's Sedge (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 13th of 18, well behind Alpha Ridge (11-9) at Listowel 2m mdn hdl hvy in Sep.
The Duckster (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden and weakened after 4th, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Come Out Firing (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf, 6 ran.
Across The Divide (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, not fluent, mistake 1st, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Baren De Doc (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Elegant Olive 14-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching 2f out, 8th of 13, 31l behind Wade Farm Billy (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
It's Molly Thowra mare out of Race Against Time.
Sweet As Pye 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until dropped rear 7f out, never back on terms, 12th of 20, 31l behind Lindeman (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f N H flat lst (4) gd in Apr '08.
Houri (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway and prominent between last 2, one pace flat, 4th of 8, 9l behind Quivvy Bridge (10-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Midsummer Bay 200-1 (10-0) Keen early, towards rear, jumped slowly and left 2nd, tailed off when jumped very slowly next, continued to jump poorly, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Garafena (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf, 16 ran.
