held up, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching next, weakened next
held towards rear, pushed along 4 out, ridden and headway 4 out, ran on to lead flat
tracked leader, joined leader 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace from last
held up, headway 3 out, badly hampered next, kept on from last
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon lost palce
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from next
in touch, pushed along and lost place from 4 out
chased leaders, hit 5th, led appoaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on and headed towards finish
held up, headway approaching 3 out, beat when fell next
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
held up behind, reminders 4 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up in touch, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden approaching next, chased leader 2 out, hit last soon weakened
The key to this race looks to be a recent Wetherby handicap contest won by Crathorne, and he can again be involved here, but preference is for Town Crier, while Kentucky Blue and Brooklyn Breeze can also go well. Town Crier finished 18 lengths in arrears of Crathorne at Wetherby, where he was also a couple of lengths behind Kentucky Blue. He travelled well for a long way that day before he blew up, and we expect he will come on plenty for the run. He has a 10lb pull with Crathorne, who looks likely to struggle to concede that, and he looks well handicapped over hurdles, so we'll take a chance on him. Kentucky Blue shouldn't be far away as he also looked in need of that Wetherby run. However, he has to shoulder topweight here and that may just prove his undoing. Of the remainder, Brooklyn Breeze is a very decent sort who likes a bit of cut and could go well, though he is definitely better over further, and we are happy to stick with Town Crier as our idea of the winner.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and challenged next, weakened last, 4th of 11, 16l behind Crathorne (10-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf.
Brooklyn Breeze (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Held up in touch, mistake 10th, headway approaching 5 out, led after 4 out, ridden and pecked 3 out, clear next, eased flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (B) gd in Apr beating Tango Royal (11-9) by 7l, 7 ran.
Nycteos (FR) 11-4 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 10, 26l behind Il Duce (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Pepe Galvez (SWE) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged from 4 out, every chance last, kept on run-in but unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Monkerhostin (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Nov '03.
Castleshane (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led, ridden, headed 2 out, one pace, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Rajayoga (10-10) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Aug.
Crathorne (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf beating Mexican Pete (10-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Prairie Sun (GER) 4-1fav (10-7) Mid-divison, hit 3rd, headway 4th, lead approaching 2 out, left well clear last, comfortably, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs beating Secret's Out (10-1) by 22l, 15 ran.
Town Crier (IRE) 10-3 (10-8) In touch, blundered 3rd, effort 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 6th of 11, 18l behind Crathorne (10-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf.
Predicament 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, mistake and led 3 out, not fluent last, soon headed, rallied under pressure to lead final strides, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec beating Talldark'n'andsome (10-12) by a hd, 14 ran.
Maclean 9-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Fait Le Jojo (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd, 11 ran.
Why The Long Face (NZ) 33-1 (11-1) Hampered after 3rd, always behind, 7th of 15, 45l behind Prairie Sun (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
Basinet 2-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, led after 2 out, clear after last, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) sft in Aug '04 beating Lagosta (11-4) by 8l, 6 ran.
Compton Eagle 40-1 (12-0) With leader, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching next, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Teme Valley (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f clm hdl (F) gf in Sept.
