chased leaders, went second 9th until 4 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd and no chance when fell 2 out
held up, hampered 3rd, steady headway 10th, led approaching 3 out, cleared 2 out, eased flat
held up in touch, headway 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, left 3rd 2 out
led to approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, behind from 14th, tailed off
chased leaders, went second 4th until 9th, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 11th, ridden 13th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader until 4th, lost place 6th, well behind from 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
held up, lost touch 10th
always behind, lost touch 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before last
Paddy The Optimist is the pick over Silver Samuel, with Bramblehill Duke and Flinders the other main players. Paddy The Optimist goes well here as proven by his last two successes over the course and distance this year. Dai Burchell's nine-year-old jumps well, and his latest victory came off a mark of 88. Another rise is not a big problem as he has performed well off slightly higher than today's mark in the past. Of more of a worry would be if it continued to dry out, as although his last two wins came on good to firm ground, he does prefer a bit more cut underfoot. Silver Samuel has been in fair form of late here as well, but meets the selection on worse terms than when second to him in March, so is passed over. Bramblehill Duke rallied well when second at Exeter last time but does make the odd mistake, while Flinders gained his last win here in October but might find conditions too fast today. Paddy The Optimist has done nothing wrong of late and can complete the hat-trick.
