chased leaders, dropped rear halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, mistake and headed 2out, soon no extra
held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, rallied to lead after 2 out, wandered and stayed on well flat
towards rear, headway 4 out, effort and every chance 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division until weakened after 4 out
in touch, headway to chase leader approaching 3 out, led briefly 2 out, hung left and stayed on to go 2nd flat
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, stayed on strongly flat, nearest finish
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort and chance 2 out, hung left and slightly hampered flat, kept on one pace
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, some headway under pressure after 3 out, soon no impression
prominent to halfway, soon behind
Guerilla gets a tentative vote over the likes of Castleshane, Regal Setting, King Of The Arctic and Maneki Neko. This handicap has a very open look to it, but Guerilla has threatened to win a race on more than one occasion, so is the pick here. Richard Guest's Australian import ran very well when second to the odds-on Lodgician at Sedgefield and appears to be quite well treated back in handicap company. The only negative would be if it rained and changed the going significantly, as he certainly would not want it soft. Castleshane has not won for three years and is definitely not the force of old, but he is well treated as well, and has shaped as though there is a small race in him judged on his efforts this term. Regal Setting tops the handicap, but with Brian Hughes able to take 5lb off his back, Howard Johnson's charge should go well in his bid to go one better than when second to Ellerslie Tom here on fast ground in May. He has been absent since a nightmare outing on the Flat at Musselburgh in June when he swerved left at the start and was tailed off. King Of The Arctic has not raced over hurdles since finishing second here in April 2004, but cannot be left out of calculations entirely, while Maneki Neko has winning form on the Flat and has shaped well in defeat over timber in the past. An open affair can go to Guerilla.
Regal Setting (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, dropped rear after 5th, headway under pressure 4 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Ellerslie Tom (10-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May.
Rehearsal 2-1fav (11-6) Towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and effort, no extra flat, 5th of 15, 11l behind Front Rank (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Castleshane (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led to 2 out, one pace when headed, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Self Defense (11-8) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd.
Classic Event (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 7th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 34l behind Treaty Flyer (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Guerilla (AUS) 7-2 (11-4) Mid-division inside, headway 5th, chased winner after 3 out, every chance last, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Lodgician (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
King Of The Arctic (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In touch, hit 3rd led after 4 out, ridden last, hung badly left flat, held on, won at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May beating Master Papa (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 4th, hit next, chased winner3 out, weakening when hit last, 3rd of 14, 30l behind Victorias Groom (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Sir Night (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, outpaced 9th, soon behind, 6th of 10, 42l behind Palace Walk (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) gf in Aug.
