tracked leaders, weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, reminders after 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, not fluent and weakened quickly next, pulled up before last
held up in touch when fell 6th
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, kept on, no impression
tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, kept on well
led, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and soon outpaced
Brave Thought is selected in preference to Oliverjohn and Island Faith. Peter Monteith has two in the race but Brave Thought looks to be the pick. The eleven-year-old was going well when departing in his most recent race but if he can put in a clear round today ¿ there does not appear much more to do. Oliverjohn has been a credit to his trainer. The handicapper has noted his progression and he will have the additional burden of carrying an additional 2lb this afternoon. Island Faith was a decisive winner of the Edward Hamner at Haydock Park. He went up accordingly for that victory and was unable to show much at Chepstow. Super Nomad has ability and this is his trip. The handicapper has appeared to have been very reluctant to drop him down the handicap so connections will welcome today¿s 2lb drop. St Pirran and Jurado Express have had their glory days in the past. Whether new connections will experience the same highs at this stage in their careers is a matter of some doubt. Brave Thought should be a decent price and we will follow him on this occasion.
St Pirran (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) In touch, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 14th of 16, well behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Island Faith (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up rear, headway 11th, weakened 3 out fell 2 out in race won by Lord Maizey (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Super Nomad 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, weakened approaching 8th, 6th of 11, 21l behind Almaydan (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Jurado Express (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden after 10th, no impression and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, 19l behind Tysou (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf.
Shares (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up and keen early, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, led after last, caught post, 2nd of 9, shd behind Armaguedon (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Brave Thought (IRE) 4-1co-fav (11-12) Held up, in touch when fell at the 6th in race won by Oliverjohn (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Do L'Enfant d'Eau (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 8l behind Oliverjohn (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Oliverjohn (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Made all, hung left when left clear 2 out, jumped left last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Jerom De Vindecy (9-9) by 4l, 5 ran.
