held up, jumped left and bumped when unseated rider 1st
held up in touch, hampered 8th, mistake 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
led 2nd, mistake 14th, ridden and headed 2 out, beaten when eased flat
keen, in touch, weakened after 14th
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 2 out, drew clear flat, eased towards finish
This looks a good opportunity for Avitta to return with a win, while Onyourheadbeit and Windy Spirit can also go well. Avitta is a course winner on soft ground here, which can only help his cause. Though he has never won over this trip, he has run well at it, and he does have winning form over just shorter, so that shouldn't be a major concern. Venetia Williams' runners have been in form lately, so we take him to score. Onyourheadbeit has a longer absence to overcome, plus his yard are not quite going as well, not to mention that he did look weighted up to the hilt when thrashed over c&d on soft earlier in the year. He has a bit to prove here, while Windy Spirit has seen conditions, and the handicapper, turn against him, and Lord Dundaniel may prove a bigger threat with McCoy up, though he too has to show us he handles the ground. One who does is Avitta, and he is our pick here.
He's The Guv'nor (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, some headway 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Standin Obligation (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (B) sft in Oct.
Lord Dundaniel (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden when jumped left and pecked 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 35l behind Mioche d'Estruval (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (E) gf in May.
Onyourheadbeit (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway 9th, chased winner 13th to approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 28l behind Schuh Shine (11-4) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) In rear, effort 12th, soon weakened, 4th of 8, well behind Red Georgie (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (D) sft in Oct.
Avitta (IRE) 11-10fav (10-5) Jumped right, prominent, led 5th to 8th, led again 9th, left clear 3 out, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Jul beating Mylo (10-12) by 10l, 6 ran.
