held up, headway 3f out, led next, kept on well
tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd, weakened 3 out
led to 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened next
with leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in touch, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, took closer order after 3rd, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression
held up, lost place 5th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on to chase winner towards finish, no impression
Overstrand is weighted accordingly, but can come out on top over Winslow Boy, with Blackthorn and Seafire Lad worth a mention at least. Overstrand is not the force of old, having been good enough to land the Listed William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown for Mary Reveley in December 2003. That was to be his last victory, as he was continually campaigned at a high level without success the following year, and since joining Martin Todhunter, the gelding has shown very little, but this drop in class will hopefully prove the answer. The younger Winslow Boy has yet to score over timber but he too drops in grade, having been placed on his last two starts at Bangor. He could prove dangerous with Paddy Aspell able to claim three-pounds, while of the remainder, Blackthorn, fourth in a seller on the Flat at Nottingham recently, makes most appeal, and Seafire Lad, successful in selling company at Market Rasen is another that can figure without being good enough. Although now a shadow of his former self, Overstrand is the pick.
Overstrand (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased winner to 4 out, weakened quickly, stumbled 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Yes Sir (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gs.
Winslow Boy (USA) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Virtus (10-6) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd.
Blackthorn 14-1 (10-6) Chased leader, hit 5th, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 5th of 10, 32l behind Lahib The Fifth (11-2) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Jul.
Seafire Lad (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) In touch, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden next, held on near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf in Jul beating Little Tobias (11-5) by a hd, 15 ran.
Neven 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, weakened halfway, 16th of 17, well behind Dream Castle (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf in Jun.
Three Times A Lady 9-1 (10-12) In touch until 3 out, 7th of 18, 21l behind Desert Spa (11-12) at Worcester 2m sll hcp hdl (G) gd in Jun.
Cadeaux Rouge (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, well behind Wilfred (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Sept.
