tracked leaders, led 11th, made rest, driven and stayed on from 2 out, ridden out flat
held up in touch, mistake 2nd, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, ridden after next, 4 length down in 3rd and one pace when fell last
led to 11th, lost place after next, weakened from 2 out
hit 1st, tracked leaders, mistake 10th, headway to chase winner when blundered and unseated rider 13th
mid-division on wide outside, pushed along and behind 6th, never going well after, lost touch 11th, left moderate 4th last
towards rear when hit and unseated rider 1st
behind when jumped big and rider lost iron 3rd, in touch next, lost place when mistake 8th, headway to chase winner after 3 out, stayed under pressure flat, always held
held up towards rear, struggling 11th, pulled up before next
in rear, under pressure when blundered 12th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace, left 3rd last, no impression
with leader, jumped slowly 5th, ridden and lost place when left 2nd again 13th, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened
Not an easy race to call and it might be worth chancing MATTAKING on his reappearance after an absence, while Mad Professor is respected and Peak Seasons could show more today. The last-named was thrashed by Mad Professor when John Cornwall's seven-year-old scored over two miles on good ground at Southwell last time. However, he has generally showed his best form on a sound or faster surface and gets those conditions today, so he may be able to narrow the margin between them. Mad Professor at least comes here in winning form, but closer inspection of his CV suggests that he does not stay this far in a truly run race and we are happy to try to find something with which to take him on. That comes in the form of Mattaking. The seven-year-old has not been seen since scoring over course and distance on New Year's Day 2009, and he returns to the track racing from a 6lb higher mark as a result. Clearly, he gets this trip and acts here, while he has also shown good form on fast ground, so we will chance him. Donald Will Do has a 1-27 strike rate, but he does at least stay and act on the ground, so he might be able to get involved when it matters, though Mattaking will do for us.
Mattaking (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, clear approaching last, rider almost took wrong course, corrected and clear, won at Fakenham 2m 5f Am hcp ch 0-100 (4) gd in Jan '09 beating Gus (11-3) by 13l, 8 ran.
Dunbrody House 14-1 (11-4) In touch until 9th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Kathleens Pride (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 8th, headed 4 out, rallied and every chance next, led last, headed and no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Hever Road (10-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Great Tsar (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 17, well behind Overlaw (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 9-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, reminders approaching 7th, behind after 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Grenoli (9-7) at Southwell 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Mad Professor (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Held up in touch, chased leaders in 3rd 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr beating Braddock Island (11-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Led, headed approaching 4th, tracked leader, pushed along approaching 7th, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Mad Professor (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Wishes Or Watches (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Chased winner until 4th, behind from 9th, tailed off, 4th of 9, 31l behind Bid Art (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 250-1 (10-6) Behind, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shore Thing (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f clm hdl (5) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Ballyboe Boy (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, blundered 5th, struggling 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Boardroom Dancer (9-7) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Fort Severn (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led after 9th, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Lord Gunnerslake (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
