took keen hold, chased leaders, led 4 out, went right 2 out, pressed when went badly rightlast, rider lost irons and headed soon after, rallied gamely near finish, not recover
chased leaders, losing place when mistake 5th, soon struggling and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 6th, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened into 5th when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide, led, mistake 5th, headed next, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, soon one pace and no chance with front pair
mistake 1st, behind most of way, tailed off
behind, plugged on from 3 out, never in contention, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened 5th, soon struggling, tailed off
always behind, tailed off
held up towards rear, hampered 4th, steady headway before 4 out, chased leader after 3 out, challenged and mistake next, led as leader went badly right last, held on near finish
mid-division, struggling before 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, losing place when blundered 6th, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, stayed on after 3 out, never nearer
chased leaders, fell 4th
towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and struggling 5th, pulled up 4 out
always behind, tailed off
towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
SHOEGAZER ran well enough last time to suggest a contest of this nature would be within his grasp and gets the vote to back that theory up; Priors Glen, Luther, El Distintivo and Dort Tranquille and the others worthy of close inspection. Our selection took third behind Nice One Eric last time over two miles but, as a point-to-point winner, this step beyond two-and-a-half should be well within his grasp. We're actually inclined to say it'll bring about improvement and, as he's rated 117 already, that may not even be required. Priors Glen is a stablemate of Nice One Eric so the market will give us a clue to their expectations, but he's rated within a couple of pounds of our pick and must be considered. He's not yet managed to win a race but promises to stay this far and should be capable of better. Luther is a fascinating newcomer to rules having run with credit in a point-to-point and he's joined a top yard so a note must be made of any market moves, but perhaps he'll improve for this and we'll leave him alone here. El Distintivo has stamina and current form questions to answer but is officially third-best of those with ratings and similar comments apply to Dort Tranquille who was pulled up on his sole start over timber having won a bumper over 1m6f. Gandalfe represents a shrewd yard capable of getting the best out of their horses and must be considered for each-way players whilst Back At The Ranch will appreciate this drop in class but needs to improve on balance. Shoegazer sets the standard and is selected to shed his maiden tag.
Back At The Ranch (IRE) 150-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place 6f out, ridden and kept on final 2f, never on terms, 11th of 24, 22l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Dort Tranquille (FR) 10-3 (11-3) Mid-division, hit 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Fahrisee (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
El Distintivo (ARG) 8-1 (10-13) Towards rear, reminders after 4th and again after next, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Miss Ladybird (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Gandalfe (FR) (10-7) 7th of 20, 17l behind Chostako (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl hvy in May.
Jays Cottage 18-1 (10-9) Always behind, 9th of 12, 40l behind L'eldorado (11-0) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Luther (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Mostly 6th to 2out where effort, finished well but nvr get to wnr, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Hands Free (12-0) at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp gf in May '08.
Priors Glen (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, effort on outside 3 out until next, no impression approaching last, 5th of 7, 15l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Robin De Paques (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, pushed along next, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, 37l behind Pendower (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Shoegazer (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, driven to challenge after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Nice One Eric (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Watoscar (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 10, 23l behind Carribs Leap (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Whaxaar (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always behind, never a factor, 10th of 12, 40l behind Coup Royale (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Anadama (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 6th, weakened next, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Love of Tara (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Between Dreams 25-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, gradually faded, 11th of 13, 24l behind Winsley Hill (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in May '08.
Letcombe Brook 100-1 (10-10) Took keen hold in touch, behind final 3f, 10th of 16, 20l behind Reinriver (10-3) at Wincanton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Little Roxy (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, mistake 4th, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Raquel White (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 6 ran.
Overbury Valentine 200-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Basford Lady (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f N H flat (4) gd in Apr '09.
Pull The Wool (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, held up last, headway on outside 7th, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, no impression when hit 2 out, 4th of 6, 27l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Master Cardor Visa (IRE) 150-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, towards rear after, 11th of 14, 43l behind Talenti (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
