held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, one pace from 2 out
in touch, ridden when mistake 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 4th, weakened, behind when pulled up before 7th
in touch, keen, mistake 5th and 6th, weakened after 4 out
always behind, mistake 1st, weakened 4 out
keen in mid-division, some progress after 4 out, one pace from 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened
led, until weakened and headed 4 out
held up, headway 6th, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, driven clear flat
in rear, not jump well, tailed off 5th
never better than finishing position
in rear, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
West End Wonder is a speculative choice over the likes of Cantgeton, Walsingham and Thieves Glen to name but a few. West End Wonder was a maiden after seven starts on the Flat, but is already a standing dish at Worcester, all three outings over timber having come here. After finishing a well-beaten third behind Beechwood, Dai Burchell's charge was stepped up to today's trip a month ago, putting in an eye-catching run in going down narrowly to the odds-on Absolut Power. A similar run should see him go close in a race that will not take a lot of winning. Martin Pipe won this last year and his runner Cantgeton will be a popular choice despite his penalty. A course and distance winner here in April on what was his debut over hurdles, he was far from fluent at Ludlow next time, and that could cost him and his supporters again. Walsingham did not impress with his jumping either when making all at Southwell last time, but the fact that he is one of the few with recent winning form to his credit will ensure that he is backed, while Thieves' Glen has to fare better than when pulled up at Hereford. Iris's Dream has been off a while, but is sure to have been well schooled and should be noted in the market, but a small wager on West End Wonder is the suggestion.
Cantgeton (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, headway and not fluent 6th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 38l behind Amicelli (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd in May.
Rash Moment (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 7th, ridden clear last, eased towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gf in Mar beating Easter Present (11-2) by 7l, 17 ran.
Openide 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Ballycassidy (11-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Jun, 15 ran.
Iris's Dream 6-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 5th of 11, 34l behind Icy Prospect (10-13) at Perth 2m nhf (H) gd in Sept.
Thieves'glen 7-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 6th, headed next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Grey Tune (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Walsingham (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Made all, hit 6th, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching out, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in May beating Squantum (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
West End Wonder (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In touch, went 2nd after 7th, led 3 out, headed last, ran on, 2nd of 13, hd behind Absolut Power (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gf in Jun.
PonchaTrain (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) In touch, led 9th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, blundered and headed last, not recover, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Stagecoach Diamond (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gf in Jun.
