led, soon clear hit 12th, ridden and headed after 2 out, fifth and beaten when fell last
in touch, tracked leader from fourth, mistake 14th, every chance 2 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, weakened flat
held up in touch, outpaced approaching 14th, ridden and steady headway from 4 out, went 2nd after last, no extra close home
in touch, hit 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 9th
chased leaders, reminders 5th, ridden after 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on well
in touch, chased leader and mistake 13th, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, hit last, one pace run in
in touch, weakened after 15th, tailed off when swerved loose horse and unseated rider last
Withthelads can give weight and a beating to Alfred The Grey, with Felix Darby and Hi Rudolf not entirely out of matters. Withthelads humped topweight to victory over the course and distance in September and looks a useful recruit to chasing. That was only his second outing over the bigger obstacles and at the age of six he has plenty of scope for improvement. He should be capable of defying a rise and makes more appeal than Alfred The Grey who is out to make up for lost time after his promising third at Plumpton on what was his first outing since July 2002 when he was successful for a different stable at Southwell. That was the seven-year-old's first victory and the best he had run since making his debut in 2001. However, he will do well to cope with the selection here, and so will Felix Darby who is only six-pounds better off with the selection for a 25-length beating here. Hi Rudolf beat Palouse at Plumpton in May but has had mixed fortunes since then and was beaten in selling company last month. All in all, this is best left to Withthelads.
