not fluent, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 10th, soon ridden and lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, mistake 7th, lost touch and pulled up after 9th
mid-division, reminders halfway, mistake and lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon behind
chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well approaching last, no impression
made all, driven and 3 lengths clear last, ridden flat, just held on
tracked winner throughout, ridden 2 out, 3 lengths down last, rallied flat just failed
behind from halfway
This looks to be an opportunity for Saddlers' Mark to win again, with Jesper likely to be popular, while Nosam and Karo De Vindecy can run their races. Saddlers' Mark has been dropped to a mark of 93, and as a winner from 102 at Fairyhouse in November 2003, he certainly looks capable of performing now that the handicapper has relented. Trip and ground both suit, and with nothing special to beat he can come out on top. Topweight Jesper comes from a yard that do well with their raiders here, but there was little inspiration from his latest outing, and he has a bit to prove now. Meanwhile old timer Nosam is still enjoying the game and giving a good account, but what speed he had has long gone, and he hasn't won for some time, while Karo De Vindecy may get closest to the selection. Track, trip and ground all suit, and although he looks to be in the grip of the handicapper at present, he can put up a bold showing. But our idea of the winner here is Saddlers' Mark.
Jesper (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 6th, improved to track leader 11th, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when blundered last, 4th of 7, well behind Kelly (11-6) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (D) gd.
Hot Produxion (USA) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden after 9th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Lantaur Lad (10-12) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in Apr.
Saddlers' Mark 25-1 (9-5) Never a factor, mistake 2 out, kept on from last, 10th of 21, 31l behind The Boys In Green (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-140 sft in Apr.
Earl Sigurd (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always behind, 7th of 13, 27l behind Risky Way (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Apr.
Nosam 33-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway from 3 out, chasing leaders when not fluent last, stayed on flat, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Make It Easy (9-7) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd.
Leopard Spot (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place halfway, blundered 12th, soon behind, 8th of 10, well behind Tina's Scallywag (10-0) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd.
Karo de Vindecy (FR) 8-1 (10-11) In touch, led 8th to 10th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 27l behind Panmure (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Apr.
Multeen Gunner 11-4 (10-0) Led to 3rd, chased winner, pecked 5th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Terrible Tenant (9-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Apr.
