prominent, left in lead 13th, clear approaching 2 out, easily
soon behind, fell 10th
ran out, led until ran out 13
held up, hampered bend approaching 6th, headway and hampered 12th, ridden 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, soon no chance
prominent, ridden after 3 out, one pace flat
in touch, close 3rd when slipped bend and unseated rider approaching 12th
prominent, lost place approaching 6th, headway 13th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 8th, hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up, hampered 10th, effort 3 out, soon weakened
Withdrawn
A number of questions remain unanswered by a number of these but the vote goes to Pangeran ahead of Never Awol, Sissinghurst Storm and Make It Easy. Pangeran is just two pounds above the mark from which he won at Fontwell in May, and this is his level, so he has to be respected in a modest handicap. Turning to the others and, a winner off 90 in 2002 and 2003, Rufius seems to have lost his way. Taksina has also regressed but now finds herself 14 pounds below last May's winning Newton Abbot mark. Make It Easy won at Fakenham in May and, even though he is now five pound higher in the ratings, is respected. Sissinghurst Storm's course and distance second in May from a five-pounds higher mark, certainly gives him claims if a repeat can be achieved, and the best of Cyindien's hurdling form gives him a chance, although his fencing efforts have yet to match it. Never Awol won from a three-pounds higher mark in this race last year and, of course, holds a big chance if getting back to that. Barnards Green is nine pounds below the mark from which he won at Taunton last October, but he is unproven at the trip, while Ashgreen's January Folkestone run gives him claims, but that's the only piece of form to date. Finally, Auditor won over two miles here from a five-pounds higher mark last November but is another to have regressed and be unproven at today's trip. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Pangeran.
Ashgreen 8-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Commanche Jim (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft in Mar.
Never Awol (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Led until after 2nd, lost place 5th, soon behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Good Heart (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
Killy Lass (IRE) 3-1fav (10-5) In touch, hit 11th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 25l behind Fearless Mel (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Aug.
Pangeran (USA) 16-1 (9-7) Held up, hit 9th and 12th, ridden 5 out, took 3rd 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Mr Splodge (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Sissinghurst Storm (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Prominent, jumped slowly 5th, weakened 12th, 3rd of 8, well behind Sir Cumference (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Make It Easy (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Prominent, led approaching 9th, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind Big Quick (11-0) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in Aug.
Taksina 10-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden in every chance approaching 3 out, kept on from next, 4th of 11, 13l behind Erins Lass (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd in Aug.
Cyindien (FR) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leader, led and jumped right from 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened, 4th of 5, 20l behind Southerndown (9-9) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
