held up, headway 6th, close 3rd when fell 4 out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after last, kept on
held up, slightly hampered 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, lost 3rd close home
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, led after last, readily
held up, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, outpaced and dropped rear after 4 out, ridden approaching next, hit last, stayed on well flat to take 3rd close home
held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Sue Smith and Martin Pipe both saddle two runners each but they may have to settle for minor honours with preference for Petite Margot, who gets the vote over Claymore. The last mentioned has found one too good in each of his last two starts, latterly behind Olney Lad at Wetherby and has to be respected although the handicapper has done him few favours raising Oliver Sherwood's gelding a further 4lbs for that effort. Royal Emperor has had a disappointing campaign over fences and now reverts to hurdling but faces no easy task off his current mark and Patriarch Express looks the more likely winner among Sue Smith's two runners. However, he has gone up 22lbs for his most recent success and carrying big weight sin this ground is hardly ideal. Martin Pipe's Polar Red showed progressive form over fences last term and it is surprising to see him back over hurdles for his reappearance, while stablemate Ilnamar has claims at the weights but is none too consistent. Francois Doumen's Blue Canyon will be suited by the conditions but is a far from certain stayer and preference is for Petite Margot. Admittedly the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained mare was beaten off today's mark at Warwick last week but that was behind the progressive Celtic Son over a longer trip. The drop in distance will suit the daughter of Alderbrook who is taken to make the most of the weight that she receives.
