chased leaders, went second approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
held up rear, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up rear, headway from 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear, headway from 3rd, ridden and every chance when fell 3 out
held up rear, headway from 3rd, ridden when badly hampered 3 out, no chance after
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
with leader until weakened quickly after 4th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway from 3rd, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when headed close home
mid-division, headway 4th, hung left approaching 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, stayed on well to lead close home
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, soon ridden, kept on
mid-division, in touch and ridden when badly hampered 3 out, no chance after
in touch, ridden approaching 3rd, behind when hampered 3 out
Nicky Henderson's Lord Buckingham got no further than the second flight on his debut in a handicap last time, and it is to be expected that he will fair better today, but the concession of weight all round may prove beyond the six-year-old and we prefer to side with Figaro du Rocher who has run well on his last two starts here. Martin Pipe's gelding has found one too good in each of his last two outings (both over course and distance) and while the French-bred gelding has been raised another 2lbs for the latest of those efforts he should give backers a decent run for their money. Another French bred Noble Calling probably did not beat a great deal when landing a seller here last time and has more to do in this grade today, while Elheba has been clobbered by the handicapper, who has put him up 10lbs for winning another seller at Hereford earlier this month. Robert Alner saddles three runners, with recent Wincanton scorer Avas Delight preferred over winning chaser Manawanui and the maiden Lord Code. Richard Mitchell's Ivorsagoodun has claims if fit enough after a lengthy lay off and is another worthy of a mention but we side with Figaro du Rocher to give the inform Martin Pipe another winner.