held up in touch, headway to lead 8th, headed approaching last, one pace under pressure
tracked leaders, mistakes 5th and 8th, outpaced 4 out
behind, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
held up towards rear, outpaced 14th
close up, led 6th to 8th, led again approaching last, pushed out
held up in mid-division, outpaced 14th
made most, mistake and headed 6th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
Michael Scudamore looks to have found a suitable opportunity for Finzi to open his account and the six-year-old is taken to do so at the main expense of Palisander and Ta Ta For Now. The last mentioned did not beat much when scoring at Perth in May and Sue Bradburne's gelding disappointed on his return to the same venue on his only subsequent start last month. Of more interest is Palisander who goes unpenalized for a win in a conditional jockeys' handicap at Uttoxeter earlier this month. However, the 10-year-old is more exposed than some of his rivals. Mick Easterby's Bang And Blame has age on his side but needs to improve on recent form to take a hand, while Toad Hall is likely to find this tougher than the race that he won at Perth in August. With neither Hirt Lodge nor Ninestonelad making much appeal, the vote goes to Finzi. The selection has shown improved form with each start over fences and, with plenty of further improvement to come he looks to hold all the aces.
