Verdict
Busted Tycoon was due to run at Uttoxeter yesterday and would have another 7lb to carry here if successful. In any case, we prefer the fast-improving MAN OF LEISURE who has come good in style and looked as though there was plenty more in the tank when completing a quick hat-trick at Worcester nine days ago. Waterunder arrives off the back of a win over 2m here last month and is also heading in the right direction, though the Pipe stable also run the potentially well-treated Bathwick Man. Kanturk, a winner over 3m here two weeks ago, is preferred to Cartmel scorer Lava Lamp of the others.
Formwatch
Waterunder (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway where 2 out would of been, led over 1f out, stayed on well, (5 hurdles omitted owing to low sun), won at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Ruler Of All (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lava Lamp (GER) 5-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led soon after last, ridden clear, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in May beating Wolf Shield (10-11) by 10l, 10 ran.
Bathwick Man 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, blundered 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Saint Roque (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd.
Skint 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Saint Roque (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd.
Man Of Leisure Evensfav (11-3) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Rum And Butter (11-6) by 7l, 8 ran.
Conellie 12-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, lost ground on leaders from 5th, went 3rd after 7th, closed 3 out, went 2nd next, soon led, ran on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun '11 beating Oasis Knight (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Kanturk (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd on bit before 2 out, led on bit before last, ran on strongly, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Dalavar (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Busted Tycoon (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, steady headway 6th, went 2nd on bit 2 out, upsides last, led final 75 yards, hard held, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf beating Strongpoint (11-2) by 3/4l, 14 ran.