not jumped well, towards rear, outpaced 8th, headway under pressure after 4 out, no impression from next
towards rear, outpaced 8th, rallied and effort 3 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, one pace
led, 4 lengths up when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
in touch, headway and prominent 10th, reminders 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, ridden 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
close up, hampered by loose horse on bend after 8th and lost ground, headway 14th, left close 3rd 3 out, no extra from 2 out
close up, left in lead 3 out, headed approaching last, one pace flat
towards rear, hampered 3rd, headway approaching 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly
in touch until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
The scene looks set for Sad Mad Bad to gain his fifteenth career win, and his main danger looks to be Lord Edwards Army. Despite being beaten when sent off as favourite on his most-recent outing, the selection had earlier won well here the time before. It was disappointing that he was beaten by Lord Edwards Army last time, but he is now seven pounds better off at the weights for the length-and-a-half he needs to find to turn the tables. Also, they will probably go a better gallop today over this slightly longer trip, and we think that will suit the selection better. Of the others, Cimmarone Cove is interesting. He was formerly useful when trained by Mark Pitman and Mick Easterby is a dab hand at rekindling enthusiasm in horses. Noel's Pride has a chance based on his 2002 form, and Primitive Satin won here in 2002, which could help that one's cause. Overall, though, the balance of form lies with those already mentioned, and of them we like Sad Mad Bad.
