held up in rear, went 3rd 5th, not fluent next 2, left chasing winner 3 out, driven and 1 lenght down flat, no impression towards finish
tracked leading pair approaching 2nd, left 2nd and slightly hampered next, not fluent 8th, 3 lenghts down when left in lead 3 out, switched left to avoid loose horse before last, driven out
reminders in 4th after 2nd, last 5th, left 3rd 3 out, soon struggling
led, joined briefly 3rd, not fluent 8th, 3 lenghts ahead when fell 3 out
Just five to post with RUBY ISABEL favoured to take first prize ahead of Beauchamp Viking and Saddlers Mount. Tim Vaughan's charge finished a respectable third to Moon Melody last week and if in a similar mood, looks the one that they all have to beat. Beauchamp Viking is a course and distance winner. He has become much more consistent for the application of a tonguestrap but the handicapper has raised him 17lb for winning over course and distance and that looks to be a major steadier. Saddlers Mount showed no improvement for the application of a visor and probably needs further. Un Autre Espere and Simiola have shown nothing in the formbook of late to suggest that they are up to even this lowly level so are regimentally opposed. Ruby Isabel is the pick.
Beauchamp Viking 13-2 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Lord Gunnerslake (11-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Ruby Isabel (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Held up, headway to track leaders 6th, led 8th, headed when rider was looking for dangers bend approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Moon Melody (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Saddlers Mount (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, weakened and pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Gunship (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 11 ran.
Un Autre Espere 66-1 (9-5) Pressed leader, hit 8th, lost 2nd 4 out, weakening when hung right and not much room bend well before 2 out, 7th of 8, well behind Beauchamp Viking (10-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Simiola 125-1 (10-2) Left chasing leader 1st, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened after 3 out, lost poor 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 49l behind Wessex King (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
