chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, effort 6f out, weakened over 4f out
held up and pulled hard, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon hung left and headed, not quicken
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, one pace final furlong
led to 6f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, led 6f out, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Scholar King looks the pick of the two Evan Williams-trained runners ahead of Havenstone and he has to be respected along with Brinkmanship but it may be worth taking a chance on the fitness of My Condor. The selection was made the 6/1 favourite for his debut in a Punchestown bumper when last seen in April but reportedly swallowed his tongue that day so that run may be best ignored. Subsequently switched by owner Paul Barber to the yard of Paul Nicholls, he could be a decent recruit and is taken to make a winning British debut. Tim Vaughan's Brinkmanship has been placed in all three starts so far and is entitled to be thereabouts again, while Jonjo O'Neill's Bouncy Castle showed plenty of promise on his Worcester debut and has to be considered. Ortica is entitled to improve on his first effort at Stratford and is another to consider along with Scholar King but it may be worth chancing My Condor, who gets the vote.
Bouncy Castle (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Held up toward rear, headway after 7f, every chance over 2f out, soon drifted right, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Leac An Scail (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Jul.
Fine Deed 10-1 (11-4) In touch and keen, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 13, well behind Red Bells (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Aug.
Havenstone (IRE) 5-1fav (11-0) Took keen hold and led for 2f, remained chasing leaders, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 22l behind Sirnando (11-0) at Stratford 2m nhf (4) gf.
My Condor (IRE) 6-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, eased over 5f out and pulled up in race won by Glencove Marina (10-13) at Punchestown 2m nhf gd in Apr, 22 ran.
Ortica (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, stayed on under pressure final 2f, never dangerous, 4th of 12, 22l behind Truckers Delight (10-7) at Stratford 2m nhf (5) gf.
Scholar King 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Little Lu (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Jul.
Brinkmanship (USA) 1-3fav (10-12) Pulled hard early, prominent, pushed along and headway on inside over 4f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Eterna (10-2) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gf in Jul.
Private Note 33-1 (11-5) Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, left 3rd over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Little Saltee (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) sft in Jan '05.
