jumped moderately, chased winner throughout, hit 4 out, driven before 2 out, no impression soon after 2 out, hit last
tracked leading trio, not fluent 2nd, went 3rd 4 out, pushed along and one pace before next, no impression
held up towards rear, brief effort when hit 4 out, struggling next, tailed off
made all, 2 lengths ahead and going best when blundered 2 out, in command when hit last, eased near finish
went badly left and rider lost iron briefly 1st, chased leaders until weakened soon after 3 out
held up, hit 4th, modest 5th when hit 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
in touch hit 2nd, mistake and lost place approaching 5th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 5th, stayed on same pace and no impression next
Totoman fell at the last in his latest effort but if completing this time he is in with a chance and I Can Run Can You is expected to put in an improved effort with the benefit of two runs for experience but we give the vote to STORMYISLAND AHEAD who won really well at Clonmel on his most recent start. The selection quickened nicely at the finish and jumped with some style to gain his first win. The others in the field have yet to show anything like that sort of performance and it would be a surprise if he does not prove to be the victor here. Totoman is possibly the one with most to offer as an alternative despite falling last time, as he has managed to place in four hurdle races before. Tim Vaughan has a 38% record in hurdle competitions at this course over the past five seasons and Totoman should put in a better run today. I Can Run Can You was a long way behind the winner at Uttoxeter last time out but connections will be expecting more from the gelding who cost £68,000 as a three-year-old. King Of The Moors makes a first start over the jumps and is worth noting any market support but this race can be seized by Stormyisland Ahead and he gets the nod.
Stormyisland Ahead 5-1 (11-4) Always prominent, progress to lead before 3 out, pressed from 2 out where not fluent, quickened clear after big leap at last, easily, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl gd in May beating Garlic Hill (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Dormouse 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 22l behind Clear Sailing (11-5) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Standing Order 80-1 (10-12) Always in rear, well behind approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Holoko Heights (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
Totoman 4-1 (10-12) Led, edged right bend before 3rd, headed 2 out, soon driven, just over 3 lengths down when fell last, in a race won by Praxiteles (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun, 6 ran.
I Can Run Can You (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, left 4th 2 out, kept on same pace when left 16 lengths 3rd last, never troubled leading pair, 3rd of 12, 29l behind Gremlin (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Motor Home 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 13, 23l behind Pool Of Knowledge (10-11) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Pergamon (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Mistakes, always behind, tailed off 3 out, last of 11, well behind Hunterview (10-11) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Midnight Fun 15-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 12, 27l behind Mercury Bay (11-4) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gf in Jun.
King of The Moors (USA) 6-1 (9-9) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind High Resolution (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gs (flat).
