towards rear, headway 8th, hit 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway 9th, not fluent 3 out, every chance last, all out towards finish
held up, headway after 3rd, led 7th, headed 9th, one pace
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 6th, led again after 6th, headed next and weakened
towards rear, ridden and effort 9th, weakened 2 out
led, headed 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 9th
keen, mid-division, led 4 out, challenged last, ridden and kept on
tracked leaders, led briefly 6th, out paced after 4 out, plugging on when jumping right last
Nonrunner
An open race where the very much in-form Barneys Mate must be respected in his bid for another win, and he gets the nod ahead of St Mellion Freeway and Ladino. The selection, formerly trained over in Ireland, has been able to pick up two contests at the track recently. They were the first two wins of his career and the latest was certainly impressive. Whilst this is a much tougher contest, a 6lb penalty may not be enough to stop him assuming the race doesn't come too quick. Earnest doesn't have the most consistent of profiles but he has claims on the pick of his runs, whilst Desert Tommy may not be badly treated on old form. Englishtown has been given a break since his disappointment on his reappearance, whilst Ladino is a course and distance winner but now looks to be on a stiff enough mark. The biggest danger may be St Mellion Freeway. Allison Thorpe won this race last year and her gelding comes here on the back of an authoritative display at the track last time; if he is backed it may be worth taking note but in a competitive affair we will stick with Barneys Mate.
Ladino (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, led 2 out, ran on well flat, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun beating Cold Mountain (11-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Englishtown (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Close up, mistake 5th and lost place, mistake 10th, reminders next, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Megaton (10-3) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May, 7 ran.
St Mellion Freeway (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Raced keenly, always in touch, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well flat, won at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf beating Alfie's Isle (11-0) by 7l, 10 ran.
Desert Tommy 40-1 (10-5) Behind, soon ridden, tailed off approaching 10th, 5th of 8, well behind Commemoration Day (10-12) at Stratford 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd.
Corum (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led 3rd to 4 out, weakened quickly, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Oumeyade (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Union Deux (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch ridden and lost place after 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Le Forezien (10-5) at Hereford 3m 2f sll hdl (5) gf in Jun, 14 ran.
Barneys Mate 2-1fav (11-4) Towards rear, headway after 9th, led soon after 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (5) gf beating Grave Doubts (11-2) by 12l, 12 ran.
Picabo Kid (USA) 11-2 (10-11) In touch, reminders 7th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 11, 35l behind Herne Bay (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Earnest (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered 1st, headway 5th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 4th of 11, 11l behind Jam Packed (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
