prominent, led after 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure, headed post
always behind
tracked leaders, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
mid-division, close up approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, kept on well to lead post
tracked leaders, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when blundered last
held up, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, soon one pace
held up and keen, lost place 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon beaten
Lahib The Fifth is selected here ahead of possibly Petrula and Gone Too Far. We are prepared to accept that it was the trip that beat Lahib The Fifth at Hexham last time and, having previously been unbeaten in three runs - including over course and distance - at today's type of trip, he can get back to winning ways today from a mark that looks fair. Petrula has shown in the past that he can run well from this today's mark, but will the going be too lively for Portavadie? Gone Too Far, Guerilla, Bollin Thomas, Sun King and Royal Glen all need improved efforts from their current ratings, although they cannot be ruled of being competitive for places. Finally, Lutea ran well from today's mark at Newton Abbot two runs ago, although his only win to date has come in a seller, and Critical Stage is another that is not ruled out of a placing. Overall, though, the best credentials seem to lie with Lahib The fifth, who gets the vote.
Petrula 20-1 (11-5) Led until fell 5 out in race won by Far Pavilions (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Feb '05, 13 ran.
Gone Too Far 14-1 (11-9) Close up, led 3rd to 5th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied last, stayed on flat to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Lucky Duck (10-13) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Bollin Thomas Evensfav (11-5) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Lowsha Green (11-0) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Jun.
Sun King 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Arresting (10-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Critical Stage (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden and in touch when slipped up on bend after 3 out and slipped up 2 out in race won by After Lent (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 1f cnd clm hdl (5) gf in May, 8 ran.
Royal Glen (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 4th to chase leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, 5th of 13, 17l behind Arresting (10-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Portavadie 13-2 (11-9) Held up, hit 1st, jumped slowly 2nd, jumped right 6th, weakened after 8th, well behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Rookery Lad (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Lahib The Fifth (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-11) Held up in rear, headway 7th, effort between last 2, one pace flat, 4th of 13, 7l behind Lord On The Run (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
