chased leaders, hit 5th, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous
raced keenly, tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened approaching 5th
took keen hold in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders when hung left after last
always towards rear
took keen hold, held up towards rear, no progress from 5th
raced keenly, prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, hung left and weakened well before 2 out, mistake last
reluctanct to race, headway to chase leaders 3rd, mistake 2 out, hard ridden flat, stayed on
raced keenly, always behind
mid-division, ridden after 5th, no headway
slowly away, soon well behind, tailed off
always prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra
mistakes 1st and 4th, always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
chased leaders, not much room briefly on bend after 5th, ridden to lead flat, drifted left, ran on
prominent until weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up befdore 2 out
A poor seller here but something has to win and the principals look to be Last Pioneer, Are You There and Chunky Lad and the vote is given to Last Pioneer. The selection was a fair third behind Prelude last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and with the drop in grade in his favour he is hard to oppose. Are You There rates the main danger on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time out so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Chunky Lad was a fair third in a claimer behind Masjoor last time and is another with place claims but he barely sees out the trip. Smart Minister is another to note in the market but the suspicion is he may need the run after a 405 day break. Of the remainder Taras Knight could go well at a price now returned to hurdles off a low mark but Last Pioneer is in form and he is taken to regain the winning thread.
Last Pioneer (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Mid-division, tracked leaders approaching 4 out, ridden and every chance next, one pace from after 2 out, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Middleton Dene (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
New Wish (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 21l behind Crafty Lady (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd sll hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Taras Knight (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Always behind, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Leg Spinner (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May, 15 ran.
Are You There 5-1jt-fav (10-11) Held up, headway 4th, ridden and weakened approaching last, 10th of 18, 25l behind Countback (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Bold Pursuit (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by New Wish (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug '06, 14 ran.
Bouzouki (USA) 66-1 (10-8) Keen hold in mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden to chase leaders, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 33l behind Cursum Perficio (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Ceredig 33-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, switched right to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 7th of 14, 6l behind Hart of Gold (9-0) at Folkestone 7f sll (6) gf (Flat).
Chandlers Cross (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Never troubled leaders, 6th of 16, 13l behind Gallant Hero (11-10) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Chunky Lad 14-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Masjoor (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf.
High Seasons 40-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, well behind Liberate (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
It's News To Me (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Led, strongly pressed and headed straight, soon no extra and eased, 14th of 18, more than 9l behind Stage Manager (10-8) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl 74-116 gf.
Mind That Fox 80-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 17, 7l behind Seven No Trumps (8-13) at Chepstow 5f clm (6) gd in May (Flat).
Princess Aimee 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Ouh Jay (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Smart Minister 9-1 (9-12) Took keen hold, led and clear until approaching 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Iffy (11-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Aug '06.
Von Wessex 16-1 (8-8) Soon pushed along in rear, 8th of 9, 6l behind Double Valentine (8-8) at Lingfield 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Aug (Flat).
Backlash 8-1 (10-12) Held up, short lived effort approaching 3 out, no further progress, 4th of 6, 25l behind Early Benefit (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jul.
Elaala (USA) 20-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway 5th, ridden, every chance 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 16, 16l behind Adjami (11-11) at Stratford 2m 3f clm hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Night Reveller (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Always behind, 9th of 14, 29l behind Crafty Lady (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd sll hdl (4) gd in Aug.
