in touch, mistake and lost place 7th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after last, kept on same pace flat
always behind
close up on outer, lost place 2 out, soon weakened
made all, driven after last, soon clear, eased near finish
chased winner, ridden and lost place approaching last, weakened flat
held up, behind, headway 4 out, chased winner, approaching last, ridden and weakened flat
mid-division, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression
tracked leaders, effort approaching, ridden to go 2nd after last, no with chance with winner
raced keenly, towards rear, headway 4out, ridden to chased leaders after last, kept on flat
in rear, pushed along and mistake 4 out, no impression when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
The shortlist here consists of Mikassa, Parisienne Gale, My Ace, Jupiter Jo and Sir Walter, with the vote going to Mikassa. Mikassa might not be anything to particularly write home about over fences but, to be fair, he has at least shown form enough to suggest he should be competitive in this modest heat. As such, he gets the call. He's Hot Right Now has a good chance on his hurdling form but has yet to cut it over fences. That said, that last comment applies to most of these, although Parisienne Gale looked progressive over the smaller obstacles in a fairly light career and is interesting on his chasing bow. My Ace is no world beater but he ran fairly well when third over fences here two runs ago, so at least has chasing experience, while Loulou Nivernais has shown a little chasing promise. Jupiter Jo may have been dropped to a more realistic mark now having also displayed some promise, while Sir Walter has also proven his competitiveness from his current mark and should give a good account of himself. All in all, though, we will side with Mikassa.
He's Hot Right Now (NZ) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 21l behind Jamica Plane (10-0) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jul.
Dalriath 25-1 (10-11) Led, soon clear, headed after 6th, weakened and pulled up 5 out in race won by Slalom (11-2) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd, 14 ran.
Petrolero (ARG) 25-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 29l behind Crathorne (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gf in Jul.
Parisienne Gale (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led, ridden not fluent 3 out, blundered and headed last, no extra, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Ballyboe Boy (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Jul.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, outpaced from next, 4th of 13, 15l behind Risky Way (10-13) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Jun.
Mikasa (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Held up, hampered on turn by loose horse after 9th, headway before 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Good Heart (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
Jupiter Jo 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, 4th and no impression when hampered next, 6th of 16, 18l behind Phildari (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Jul.
Sir Walter (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Took keen hold in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 7th, every chance 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Red Nose Lady (10-9) at Stratford 2m 3f clm hdl (F) gf.
