led, not fluent 5th, mistake and headed 11th, jumped right and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 11th, 3 lenghts clear last, driven flat, all out towards finish, just lasted
jumped slowly 1st, towards rear after, not fluent 4th or 7th, headway 11th, weakened 5 out, tailed off
prominent, not fluent 6th, 8th or 11th, outpaced 4 out, rallied last, ran on well flat, just failed
held up in rear, not fluent 12th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
took keen hold, held up in 4th, went 3rd 6th until 8th, not fluent 10th, mistake and weakened next, pulled up before 12th
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 9th, chased winner before 4 out, jumped left 2 out, no impression last, hung left and no extra flat
Very much on form and having set up this hat-trick bid with a very easy success last time PUTNEY BRIDGE gets the call over fellow hat-trick hunter Bankstair while Sir Bathwick looks best of the rest. The pick showed no signs of stopping when recording a 12 length victory on his last start and with that following an even easier win he has a clear chance under this penalty. Bankstair left Novice Company to score well at Fontwell last time. The form from the contest so far looks strong and off bottom weight he looks a live contender. Sir Bathwick is from a yard in tip top form at present but he is now a full 11lbs higher in the handicap than his last win that's after going up in the weights despite defeat last time. Carrick Oscar has failed to complete on his last couple of runs but if he's at his best he is given a chance on his hurdles form but in what looks increasingly like a two horse race Putney Bridge gets the nod.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Tracked winner, ridden 2 out, no impression approaching last, plugged on under pressure flat, finished tired, held on for 2nd near finish, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Ollie Magern (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in May.
Putney Bridge 3-1fav (10-7) Made all, drew clear from 2 out, went left last, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf beating Ballycarney (11-1) by 12l, 14 ran.
Carrick Oscar (IRE) 5-2 (12-1) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Hivikos (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gd in May, 5 ran.
North Island (IRE) 9-2fav (9-10) Chased leaders, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 12, 11l behind King Troy (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in May.
Whataboutya (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Chased leading pair, stayed on same pace from before 2 out, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Cannon Bridge (10-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hunt chs (5) gf in May.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up, smooth headway, 4th 2 lengths down and staying on when fell 4 out, in a race won by Beggars Cap (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov '08, 7 ran.
Bankstair (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 6 out, challenged when blundered 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Folie A Deux (11-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
