led and jumped well, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
held up, mistakes 5th and 11th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, kept on flat, no chance with winner
close up, ridden 11th, weakend from next
held up, fell 2nd
prominent, ridden 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear, eased flat
chased leaders, lost place 6th, rallied 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
An early mistake last time out put paid to the chances of Gun'n Roses II at Doncaster but he had previously shown good form when winning at Wetherby and on his best form under Martin Pipe last season he should go close despite perhaps needing a softer surface. Wincanton specialist Upgrade has proved himself to be a class act on his day but is prone to the odd poor performance. If he is on a going day he should put up a good account of himself on his first visit to this track. Red Striker won the Peter Marsh here last season but struggled in subsequent races. He hinted at a return to form last time out at Ayr and with his trainer Richard Guest in good form he is entitled to run a big race. Il'Athou is another with a chance though he looks badly handicapped following a win in a decent race at Wetherby last month.
