held up in mid-division, driven approaching 3 out, ridden, edging left and weakened before next, tired when hit last
prominent, chased winner 8th, pushed along approaching 3 out, lost 2nd and weakened from next
held up towards rear, headway into 4th going well when pecked 3 out, not fluent next, weakened before last
held up in rear, not flulent 4th, 6th travelling well but still plenty to do approching 3 out, headway when hit next, chased winner approaching last, ridden and no impression flat
in touch, close up when hit 8th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, lost 2nd and hit last
soon towards rear, driven and struggling when pulled up after 7th
soon towards rear, ridden approaching 8th, soon behind and struggling, tailed off
raced wide, prominent, led after 2nd to approaching 6th, lost place 8th, soon in rear, tailed off
led until hit 2nd, chased leader, led before 6th, made rest, stayed on strongly, driven out
Bugsy's Boy is an interesting contender but his mark continues to edge up and a more viable option may be ANOTHER TRUMP ahead of the in-form Orchard King. The latter must be a player given his rude health at present, however Allison Thorpe's gelding has a whopping 17lb higher mark to race from today and that looks tough. Instead then we prefer Another Trump who wasn't disgraced at Carlisle last time out. There are question marks over the step up in trip however this son of Montjeu should get it at a flat track like this. The Apprentice has a frustrating profile, Pouliguen needs watching in the betting on this first start in the UK, whilst Legally Fast may be happier back over the smaller obstacles. Havenstone is starting to look fairly treated, Herons Well drops in grade and is interesting stepped back up in trip, whilst Bugsy's Boy acts on the ground should give it a bold go under his big weight. The market should be informative here with some shrewd yards involved, however it is Another Trump who can top the pile.
Bugsy's Boy 11-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch after 5th, pushed along 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Tritonville Lodge (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Orchard King (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Made all, came clear from 3 out, hit last 2, eased towards finish, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct beating Scots Dragoon (11-11) by 15l, 6 ran.
Money Order (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mistakes, behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Crocodiles Rock (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 7 ran.
Another Trump (NZ) 17-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, no impression from over 2 out, 6th of 12, 22l behind Whisky Magic (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
The Apprentice (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hampered approaching 7th, soon behind, 16th of 24, well behind Lord Ragnar (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs.
Pouliguen (FR) (10-12) in a race won by Pacha Des Pres (10-10) at Dieppe(FR) 2m 5f chs in Jun '08, 12 ran.
Legally Fast (USA) 11-2 (11-4) Mid division, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Sydney Sling (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Havenstone (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, lost place 4 out, 5th of 9, 21l behind Factotum (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Herons Well (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway on outside approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 15, 28l behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
