tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly between last 2, no extra flat
held up towards rear, smooth headway after 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly
held up in touch, headway 5th, outpaced approaching last, rallied and kept on one pace flat
mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
led, ridden and headed between last 2, one pace flat
in touch, headway halfway, outpaced 2 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, kept on
in touch, hit 3rd, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind
behind, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders to halfway
in touch, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, no extra approaching last
Nonrunner
This should lie between the trio of Sterling Guarantee, Quarry Island and Magico, with marginal preference for the last mentioned of the three. The selection did disappoint in a handicap at Worcester last time but earlier form when second to Mr Mischief at Wetherby reads well in the context of this race and a reproduction of that effort may suffice. Ferdy Murphy's French import Si Anthony is still something of an unknown quantity after just two starts in this country and has to be respected along with Martin Todhunter's Longdale, who showed promise over course and distance last time. Sterling Guarantee showed improved form at Sedgefield last time and holds solid claims on that effort, while Quarry Island has to be respected on the form shown when narrowly beaten by Grangehill Dancer over course and distance last month. Now And Again, who has his first start over hurdles for over a year but is fit from the flat, is another worthy of a mention but Magico holds solid claims and gets the vote.
Longdale 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway halfway, went 2nd approaching 2 out until no extra approaching last, 4th of 12, 17l behind Bannister Lane (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd.
Magico (NZ) 6-1 (10-2) Always behind, 11th of 15, 45l behind Swift Swallow (11-3) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf.
Now And Again 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Albany (10-11) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Mar '04.
Si Anthony (FR) 9-4fav (10-6) Took keen hold, held up, ridden after 7th, soon struggling, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Greencard Golf (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
Sterling Guarantee (USA) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from next, every chance last, hung badly left and no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Snow's Ride (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf.
Shamore 7-1 (11-9) 7th of 10, 13l behind Oaklands Ted (12-0) at Mordon 3m ptp frm.
Quarry Island (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 16, 29l behind Tandava (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn hdl (E) sft in Apr.
True Temper (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Heartstopper (10-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl frm in May '04.
