in touch, tracked leaders 5th, led and not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well
prominent, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure
took keen hold, held up, short lived effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out
tracked leaders, joined leader 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on
held up, driven along from 5th, short lived effort after 7th
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, effort after 7th, weakened before next
led until 6th, close up until weakened approaching 3 out
Cornish Orchid showed improved form when third in a similar contest over course and distance earlier this month and he has to be respected on that evidence but the better form is probably held by Megaton and he is preferred with Barathea Blue rated the best of the remainder. The selection has shown gradual improvement over hurdles and with the yard of Peter Bowen in better form now than for some time he may be able to improve again. Post It has claims on the pick of her form and could be of interest under Richard Johnson, although she may find the ground a shade quick. Absolutelythebest does not live up to his name and has still only got the one victory in a maiden on the flat at Lingfield to his name, while Heisse is capable and may be open to further improvement but would not appear to be particularly well treated judged by his most recent start, his first in this grade. Barathea Blue stepped up on recent form at Taunton last month and the yard of David Pipe continues in good form so he has to be respected but Megaton has solid claims and he gets the vote.
Megaton 14-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, mistake and weakend last, 3rd of 20, 12l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Barathea Blue 13-2 (10-0) With winner, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Flotta (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) frm in Apr.
Post It 16-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 5th, soon ridden, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Vaughan (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, in 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 11, 14l behind True Mariner (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Heisse 18-1 (10-5) Close up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 44l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Dec.
Heriot 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until weakened quickly after 3 out, 13th of 19, well behind Onward To Glory (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd.
Cornish Orchid (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Led until after 1st, chased leader, ridden into narrow advantage 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Sultan Fontenaille (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf.
Lespride 40-1 (10-12) Behind, ridden and moderate headway approaching 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 16, 33l behind Dramatic Quest (10-12) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (G) sft in Oct '04.
