held up, lost place 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on never on terms
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden after next, soon weakened
raced keenly, held up, headway 6th, hit 8th, joined leader on bit 3 out, led and hit next, ridden and kept on flat
with leader, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, kept on approaching last, no impression on first 2
made most 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner flat
It took Stamparland Hill a while to regain his confidence after a horror fall at Newcastle a couple of seasons ago, but he shaped as if he has really got his act together well earlier in the year and gets the nod today, on the grounds of value, over Got One Too and Bernardon, who appear to be the most obvious dangers from the rest. The ex-Irish Galway Breeze is another to throw into the mix, as he has the ability to figure prominently if he can bury the memory of a modest last time out effort. This testing track may find him out though, and he may be vulnerable to a more determined type when they come up the hill towards the finish. Got One Too looks sure to be a popular selection after a series of good performances in both codes through the summer. However, he has been well held off this sort of mark in the past and may need to drop a few pounds in the handicap before he can be seriously considered as a big-stakes play. Similar comments apply to Bernardon, who is 5lb higher than when winning a truly run handicap at Southwell in July. His subsequent efforts have been a little short of the mark so he is left alone for win only purposes this afternoon. Therefore, we switch to Stamparland Hill for selection today. The Malcolm Jefferson-trained gelding has always had a touch of class about him and, now that he appears to restored his faith in his own ability at his fences, Stamparland Hill is fancied to take some stopping in this company.
