led, headed after 2nd, chased winner to 3 out, weakened 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent and keen, led after 2nd, clear after 4th, hit 2 out, eased towards finish
chased leaders until pulled up before 6th
mid-division lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up after next
prominent, hit 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind
behind, some headway 7th, kept on flat, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden after 7th, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden when not fluent 7th, soon weakened
in touch, went 2nd 3 out, stayed on, no chance with winner
Some interesting recruits to the jumping game including Crow Wood, Dictator and Mikado, we will give the vote to the first named, Barton Flower may do best of the experienced horses. Crow Wood is rated 99 on the flat and has performed with credit in every race this season. He managed a victory in a hot event at Epsom in June and finished runner up to Mullins Bay in the John Sniths Cup at York. He obviously has a touch of class and can make a winning debut over hurdles. Mikado is from the resurgent Jonjo O'Neill yard. He hasn't raced since winning a listed event at the Curragh a year ago, but if he is fit he could be a danger to all. The former John Oxx inmate Dictator is now with a very shrewd yard and should be monitored closely in the betting. The same applies to John Spearing's Shergael. Barton Flower ran a promising third behind Earth Man in April and should be capable of getting involved in the finish. However Crow Wood is taken to land this event before going on to better things.
Euro Route (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Never on terms, 10th of 16, 20l behind Sunnyland (10-11) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Crow Wood 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 11th of 16, 7l behind Balkan Knight (9-9) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sept (Flat).
Dictator (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 5th 3f out, led over 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 6th of 22, 8l behind Mullins Bay (9-2) at Curragh 1m 2f mdn stk gf in Sept '04 (Flat).
Lago d'Oro 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Fire Ranger (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gf in Aug.
Land Sun's Legacy (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Star Member (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (D) gd in Sept.
Mikado 10-3 (9-0) Led, strongly pressed 2f out, headed briefly under 1f out, rallied under pressure to regain lead, stayed on well, won at Curragh 1m 2f lst stk gs in Oct '04 beating Ecomium (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran (Flat).
Spanish Tan (NZ) Senor Pete gelding out of Cammeray.
Barton Flower 66-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, stayed on for 2 out, went 3rd flat, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Earth Man (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
