in touch, hard ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure to challenge last, driven to lead run in, stayed on well
behind, headway 5th, challenged 3 out, chased leader approaching last, no extra run in
behind, ridden and headway 5th, stayed on under pressure run in, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened 3 out, eased before next
in touch, challenged when hit 3 out, weakened quickly
chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, ridden and struggling 5th
behind, ridden and effort when hit 3 out, weakened
behind, ridden along from 5th, kept on under pressure run in, never going pace to challenge
behind from 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, clear from 2 out, mistake last, edged right and headed run in
led, until ridden and headed 4th, weakened quickly and soon behind
in touch to 4th, well behind from next
always in rear, lost touch 3rd, continued, tailed off
Despite the numbers this isn't that competitive and although he looks to have a stiff enough task giving weight away, a chance is taken with Gone Too Far. It must be every trainers nightmare losing a horse to Martin Pipe, only to see him improve it and this could be the case with the selection, who will be having his first outing for the champion trainer having won four races (two on the flat) for Michael Dods. It is interesting that he wears a visor here in preference to the blinkers he has worn to victory previously and even though he is 5lbs higher than when successful, the Pipe magic is taken to shine through. Zibeline is a bridle horse and even allowing for the fact that Ruby Walsh will give him plenty of confidence, he doesn't always produce. Irish Distinction has been running well enough of late to be of interest and is reunited with Jimmy McCarthy who has won on him three times and placed 2nd once from only four rides on the gelding. Analyze may do better now he steps into handicap company, but there is a suspicion he may need an easier track than this. A winner at up to 10-furlongs on the flat, he gave the impression over course and distance last time that this track found him out. Irish raiders Johnjoe's Express and Almier are difficult to weight up and can't be left out of calculations, neither can Plumpton winner Cristoforo, who is only 5lbs higher here, but with improvement expected from Gone Too Far he is taken to show his rivals a clean pair of heels.
