held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and led after 2 out, driven clear from last
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged and led briefly 2 out, not pace of winner
took keen hold and chased leaders, headway and challenge on bit after 3 out, led before 2 out, soon headed, ridden and not quicken after
held up towards rear, headway 4th, ran on from 2 out
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, hit last, one pace
held up in touch, ridden 5th, lost place 3 out, no impression
always behind, no impression
The Ron Hodges-trained Goldbrook is in the form of his life at present but an 11lb rise for his latest success over course and distance gives the six-year-old more to do and we prefer to give another chance to Tinoveritas, who gets the verdict over Nathos. The last mentioned won a handicap at Sandown in December and, although twice beaten back in novice-company since, Charlie Mann's gelding may do better back in a handicap today although he may find this tougher than at the Esher track as he has to race off a 10lb higher mark here. Goldbrook has gone up 20lbs since winning here in May and, although he obviously warrants respect whilst in his current form, the son of Alderbrook faces no easy task given weight away to all but Grave Doubts. With the stable of Richard Phillips still yet to hit top form, Greenfield is probably bets watched and a bigger threat may come from The Gene Genie. A stablemate of Goldbrook who beat him here last month, the nine-year-old may appreciate the faster conditions today than on his last two starts. However, the vote goes to Tinoveritas. Trained by Paul Nicholls, the French-bred gelding was a bumper winner at Worcester prior to opening his account over hurdles, at the second time of asking, at Newbury in December. The son of Saint Estephe seemed not to stay the 2m5f trip on his handicap debut at Kempton on Boxing Day and, with his stable horses continuing to run well, he may be worth taking a chance with today at a course that his yard does particularly well at.
