in rear, blunderd 2nd, struggling 5th, never dangerous
mid-division, blunderd and lost place 4th, headway 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
in touch, lost place 3 out, weakened next
always behind
mid-division, effort 3 out, no impression when hit next
held up behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
tracked leader, lost place 3 out, weakened from next
led, ridden 2 out, headed between last 2, kept on same pace
mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression
always behind
always prominent, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, ridden and kept flat
The usual batch of suspect neer'do wells, rogues and out of form sorts on offer and we are with Thistle with Errol and Gamma Velorum put up as alternatives. Thistle once had ability but sadly those days look somewhat behind him. Plagued by an unhelpful handicap mark, he's much better off at today's terms and he can leave behind an apparently modest effort at Newton Abbot as that came in a race full of better performers. Errol is exposed but does at least try when in the mood. He may not have got home over 2m4f last month but will have place claims on this occasion. Gamma Velorum ran a stinker here earlier in the month and will have to reverse form with New Wish in order to win this. Patsy Bee, who finished third in the race, actually got off on terms so credit must be due. Trackattack wouldn't be far away on some of his better form. It remains to be seen as to whether a switch in stables works the trick. Sayago went for just 1,000 guineas at the Doncaster Sales so connections hope for a quick return on investment. Barati drops in trip. Seattle Spy makes a hurdling debut after showing not a great deal on the level. Thistle has fewest negatives and is the pick.
Thistle 16-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 8l behind Nicki Boy (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gd.
New Wish (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, steady headway after 3 out, challenged last, driven to lead flat, stayed on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd beating Aleemdar (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sayago (GER) 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, headway to chase leaders 5th, hung left approaching 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sonic Anthem (11-5) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Adalar (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, 6th of 13, 42l behind Dr Cerullo (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept '05.
Barati (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon under pressure, weakened before last, 7th of 15, 15l behind Aldiruos (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Boscall Hill (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led 4th until fell at the 11th in race won by Tipp Top (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May, 7 ran.
Brigadore (USA) 40-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling 7th, 9th of 12, well behind Native City (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Busy Man (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, keen, mistake 2nd, weakened 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by A Sea Commander (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun, 9 ran.
Errol 11-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 13, 10l behind Kinfayre Boy (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Galloway Mac 80-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Alfabet Souk (10-1) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Patsy Bee (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led approaching 2 out, headed last, ridden and no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 5l behind New Wish (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd.
Seattle Spy (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4f out, last of 9, 39l behind Multicultural (10-0) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Trackattack 66-1 (10-9) Chased winner until ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 30l behind Councillor Jack (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Art Gallery 66-1 (10-4) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 50l behind New Wish (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd.
Cones (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway when hampered 3f out, improved to 8th 2f out, ridden in 6th and no extra over 1f out, 7th of 17, 11l behind Hot Oscar (10-13) at Limerick 2m nhf gf in Jun.
Gamma Velorum (IRE) 6-4fav (10-9) Held up, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, 8th and no impression when mistake last, 6th of 13, 19l behind New Wish (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd.
