held up towards rear, fell 3rd
prominent, hit 4th, driven and outpaced after 11th, challenged for remote 2nd from 2 out
held up, lost touch after 6th, pulled up before 8th
prominent, led approaching 7th, headed and mistake 3 out, soon beaten, held on for 2nd
behind until pulled up after 6th
always prominent, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, 27 lengths in front last, virtually pulled up before finish
led, headed approaching 7th, mistake next, weakened after 9th, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, mistake 8th, soon struggling
not always fluent, in rear, well behind after 6th, jumped very slowly 10th, never in contention
in rear, lost touch after 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 9th
Music To My Ears, Serbelloni and Barren Lands form the shortlist in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Music To My Ears. The selection is a course and distance winner and he has gone close on each of his last two starts. He is clearly not the most straightforward of characters as he hung quite badly in the closing stages here last time, but the cheek-pieces are on again today and we are prepared to give him another chance on a track that clearly suits his style of racing. Serbelloni was a fair second behind Goblin last time but the suspicion is that he will be best on an easier surface and he did not jump all that fluently either last time. Barren Lands is dropped in trip which is a surprise as he seemed to take well to be being stepped-up in distance last time. However, he is improving with racing and he may be the one who gives our selection the most to think about. Kind Sir is from a shrewd yard and is one to note in the market, but for the winner we are happy to return to Music To My Ears.
Serbelloni 2-1fav (11-0) Held up in touch, mistake 8th, headway next, led 11th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Goblin (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf.
Music To My Ears (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 13th, ridden to go 2nd 3 out, hung right approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Red Echo (10-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Lake Merced (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In touch, took close order 4th, lost place from 7th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Darina's Boy (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Lord Dundaniel (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent 4th, hit 6th, headed 9th, remained prominent, jumped slowly next, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Kausse de Thaix (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Seaniethesmuggler (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Soon pushed along in mid-division, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Silver Dagger (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 10 ran.
Barren Lands 8-1 (9-11) Prominent, left in lead 11th, headed 15th, ridden 2 out, every chance last, ran on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Blazing Hills (9-11) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Kind Sir 9-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 7th, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Parisienne Gale (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May, 6 ran.
Pure Brief (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) In touch until weakend approaching 11th, 5th of 6, 31l behind Cameron Bridge (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
