led and soon clear, ridden approaching 5th, headed next, beaten and eased approaching last
held up, went 2nd on bit 2 out, led approaching last, very easily
mistake 1st, jumped slowly 2nd, well behind from 3 out, ran on under pressure approaching last, kept on well flat
chased leader, led 5th, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
always towards rear
always about mid-division
The one they all have to beat here is top weight Lunar Crystal. Well-placed during the summer by trainer Martin Pipe, he has racked up five successive wins and will be a short enough price to make all and make it a sixth here. On the fast ground he loves and with A P McCoy up again, he can hardly be opposed with confidence, but the one to end his run could be Frederic Forever. Another fast ground lover, Frederic Forever comes here relatively fresh, having had just the one outing recently when he ran well enough to finish second at Stratford last month. That run will have put him straight and with 7lbs less to carry than Lunar Crystal, he can take advantage here. Of the remainder, the Paul Nicholls' trained Santenay showed some decent form in the srping, picking up a 16 runner maiden hurdles at Wincanton and then running well enough at Cheltenham. Clearly, he cannot be written off, though the ground may just be on the quick side for him. I Got Rhythm is another with ability. She comes here fresh after a five month break, but a place may be her best hope first time out.
