held up, headway 9th, never dangerous
in touch, reminders approaching 8th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, prominent 6th, weakened 3 out
held up, struggling from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, mistake 3rd, headway 9th, stayed on from 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 6th
mid-division, lost place approaching 3 out
held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, one pace from 2 out
chased leader, hit 1st, blundered and lost place 9th
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened from last
held up, headway 7th, stayed on from 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 9th
chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on under pressure
towards rear, ridden after 4th, tailed off from 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
held up, struggling from 3 out, never dangerous after
A pretty open handicap can go to Silencio ahead of Miss Mitch, Learning The Blues, Mr Ed and All Things Equal. There are plenty in with chances here, but the finger points to Silencio who carried topweight to victory at Chepstow the time before last. Sent off as favourite on his next engagement at Cheltenham, he did not the best of luck in running, and had to settle for third behind a Philip Hobbs duo. As there was over 20-lengths back to the fourth that day, there is every reason to believe that he can make amends, with the ground in his favour. The six-year-old has already schooled well over fences, and that is where his future lies, but connections will be more than hopeful of his chances today. Miss Mitch was a gallant second in the mares' final at Newbury but will find conditions plenty fast enough, and would perhaps prefer a stiffer test. Learning The Blues hacked up over the course-and-distance last time, but takes a two-grade hike, while Mr Ed caught the eye when third at Bangor on what was his first outing in nearly a year. Tony McCoy has won on him in the past, and he should not be dismissed lightly. All Things Equal has left Heather Dalton since winning a fast-ground maiden hurdle at Perth over a year ago, and will be better for the run, so we return to Silencio as the pick.
Mr Ed (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up, mistake 10th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Out The Black (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Silencio (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) In touch, headway and ridden after 3 out, chased leaders, switched right and chased winner briefly run-in, no impression final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 5l behind French Saulaie (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up behind, good headway after 7th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Karello Bay (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Heir To Be 11-2co-fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 11l behind Michael Muck (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
All Things Equal (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led on bit before next, comfortably, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr '06 beating Troll (11-3) by 10l, 15 ran.
Learning The Blues (FR) 9-2 (10-8) Made all, clear from 3rd, blundered 7th, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar beating Royal Melbourne (11-2) by 24l, 11 ran.
Tous Chez (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Rayshan (10-11) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) gd in Apr.
Busy Isit 8-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway on bit 3 out, soon chased leader, ridden and found nothing approaching 2 out, 6th of 15, 40l behind Celtic Major (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
