held up, headway 6th, shaken up to lead approaching last, soon clear, eased towards finish
held up, outpaced approaching 3 out
behind and not fluent throughout, tailed off from 5th
held up, pushed along approaching 6th, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, kept on from next, no impression
tracked leader and keen, hit 7th, soon led, ridden and headed approaching last and hit last, kept on, no chance with winner
led and keen, hit 7th, soon headed, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, chased leaders in 5th when fell 3 out
Irish trainer James Lambe is double handed with Mushraag and Rossclare and we will side with the last named, Fencote and Bergerac look the best of the home contingent. The selection is making his hurdles debut after showing plenty of promise in bumpers. His most recent effort came at Perth when runner up to the Nicky Richards trained Etched In Sand. He will no doubt have been well schooled and looks the best prospect here. Fencote has shown ability in decent enough races this season, he has looked in need of further but should still be involved in the finish. Bergerac showed improved form to chase home Tandava at Perth last time and as he is very lightly raced there should be more to come. Mushraag is well bred for this game and should be noted in the betting, but on this occasion we will side with his stable companion Rossclare.
Bergerac (NZ) 20-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Tandava (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn hdl (E) sft in Apr.
Joe Malone (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened approaching 5th, 7th of 13, well behind Adjami (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd.
Mushraag (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Prominent, 7th 6f out, headway 2f out, 4th and ridden 1f out, no extra, 4th of 27, 4 1/2l behind Berengarius (9-12) at Navan 1m 6f hcp 0-65 gf in Jul '03 (Flat).
Pearson Glen (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, hampered 2 out, soon weakened, hit last, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Adjami (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd.
Petrolero (ARG) 14-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 48l behind He's Hot Right Now (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Rossclare (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Etched In Stone (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (H) gf.
Fencote (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 20l behind Adjami (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd.
