mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 10th, weakening when mistake 13th, pulled up before 4 out
held up mid-division, headway after 9th, led and blundered next, headed 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
behind, hampered 10th, headway next, ridden after 12th, one pace after next
towards rear, blundered 10th, soon well behind
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, reminders after 6th, lost touch 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
led after 2nd, blundered next, headed 10th, close up, ridden approaching 4 out, every chance when mistake 3 out, kept on
mid-division, mistake 8th, behind 10th, pulled up after 13th
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
behind, ridden and headway after 13th, stayed on to go 4th approaching last, never trouble leaders
hampered and unseated rider 1st
held up towards rear, steady headway from 5th, tracked leaders 13th, lead approaching 2 out, stayed on well
led until 3rd, chased leaders, led 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after 13th
raced keenly, prominent, ridden after 13th, weakened next, pulled up before last
soon chasing leaders, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
The three main contenders in this competitive handicap are Zimbabwe, Moorland Monarch and Espresso Forte with the vote going to the last named. Although the selection has top weight to carry his form looks good enough. He landed a little handicap last March and looked in need of his first outing when pulling up. His latest start was encouraging and if improving once more can win again. Zimbabwe was a decent horse on the flat without winning and is proving the same over hurdles. He has in the past run some fine races but is not one to trust so is therefore worth avoiding. Moorland Monarch is another with ability but tends to keep it in reserve. So with more questions than answers it may be worth sticking with Espresso Forte.
Espresso Forte (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) In touch, blundered badly 15th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, kept on flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Party Games (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Laharna 7-2jt-fav (11-10) Prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 10l behind Picot de Say (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Over Bridge 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out, 10th of 14, 40l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Dante's Promise (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 10, 39l behind Meehan (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Zimbabwe (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Started slowly, rushed up to lead 1st, headed 3rd, stayed prominent until ridden 12th and one pace from next, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Sissinghurst Storm (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Apr.
Gerrard (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 10th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Moorland Monarch 7-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, driven along after 9th, weakened from next, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Lord Rodney (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Dr Mann (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, stayed on from 3 out without being dangerous, 4th of 18, 7l behind Blazing Batman (9-9) at Chepstow 3m sll hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
