mid-division, headway 5th, joined leader 8th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway and mistake 4th, ridden and lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
prominent, led 5th, ridden 3 out, hung left approaching last, headed close home
tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened before next
always behind, mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
prominent to 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
led, mistake 4th, headed next, weakened after 9th
mid-division, headway to join leader 9th, ridden 3 out, switched right flat, stayed on to lead close home
None of these line up in the best of form at present, but Rifleman is the pick over Superrollercoaster and Come To The Bar. Peter Bowen is not in the best of health but his stable has not done too badly over the past month or so, and Rifleman may at last open his account over hurdles. He has been placed at Bangor and Kempton in the past and has been off the track since disappointing in a better race than this at Wincanton in February. Although he has yet to try three miles, the faster ground on the hurdles track should help in that department, and he certainly has nothing to fear from the opposition, the best of whom may be Superrollercoaster. Oliver Sherwood's charge finished third in a moderate contest by Newbury standards, but is another that should appreciate the ground, with the dam being a daughter of Strong Gale. Come To The Bar makes his debut under rules so is best watched, but any money for him would be interesting. Tony Dobbin has picked up the ride on the other Bowen inmate Mister Julius, but Rifleman is much preferred.
