in touch, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
led 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last
in touch, pushed along 8th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, weakened 5 out
towards rear, outpaced when mistake 4 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out
mid-division, dropped rear 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, weakened 3 out
behind, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, effort between last 2, one pace flat
A very tricky race to assess with none of them in red-hot form and all exposed, but we'll side with SEEKING STRAIGHT to score. Toy Gun and Michaels Dream are among others to consider. The selection relishes a test of stamina like this with plenty of cut and although he can be an in-and-out performer, he had a nice pipe-opener at Perth last month. The yard is in form and we suggest siding with him. Michaels Dream heads the weights after a couple of decent efforts in defeat. He does handle soft ground but has never won over this far and in any case doesn't get his nose in front too often so we'll oppose. Toy Gun will stay, loves bottomless ground and acts at the track so that's a good start, and he may well appreciate the switch back to hurdles after unseating on his last two runs over fences. He is respected. Shankly Bond is another who is tough to win with, but might make the frame, while Polobury will relish the mud but has yet to prove she stays this far. Whatdoidowiththat has a fast-ground course-and-distance win to his name but the rain may have scuppered his chance.
Star Fever (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 10th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Categorical (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (3) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Shankly Bond (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied after next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Flemish Invader (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Sept.
Toy Gun (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-8) U unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Huckleberry (10-13) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 12 ran.
Manoubi 25-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, soon chased winner, ridden final furlong, one pace flat, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Mr Preacher Man (11-6) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Sept.
Seeking Straight (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division on outside, driven 3 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure from next, no impression, 4th of 9, 19l behind Valerius (11-3) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Polobury 9-1 (9-7) Towards rear, struggling 5th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on one pace approaching last, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Mini Minster (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in May.
Khudabad (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up, pushed along 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 16l behind Flemish Invader (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Sept.
Whatdoidowiththat 11-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 8th, rallied 2 out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 15, 10l behind Alfadora (10-10) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Hello Baby 10-1 (9-10) Held up, hampered 9th, outpaced 12th, never on terms, 4th of 7, 19l behind Cloudless Dawn (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov '06.
Moyne Pleasure (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Led until 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 18l behind Hawksbury Heights (11-5) at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Roman Bury 66-1 (9-12) Behind, reminders 4th, headway under pressure 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Tir Gra (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Lucozade 33-1 (10-4) Towards rear, headway 5th, lost touch from 9th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Not For Diamonds (11-1) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr '07, 11 ran.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, challenged approaching 4 out, outpaced next, kept on from next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Queen of Diamonds (9-7) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Aug.
Amjad 25-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 19l behind Hawksbury Heights (11-5) at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
