close up, led 8th, hit 3 out, hit next, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace
held up, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, ridden and blundered 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, hit and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, rallied next, one pace
tracked leaders, led 7th, headed next, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, one pace from 2 out
led to 4th, reminders after 6th, weakened 3 out
HAPTHOR is put forward tentatively to land the finale; Kilcannon Supreme and Political Paddy are nominated to follow the selection home. A reproduction of his third at Wetherby last time would see Hapthor go very close here despite the unknown factor of the ground. Kilcannon Supreme proved himself very capable in bumpers throughout the early part of his career and is another who's ability to handle these conditions is open to question. Political Paddy raced only on Wednesday, finishing a staying on third. The ground was taking its measure on many there and the worry would be that the race might just have left its mark. Given the form of the Howard Johnson yard, Wee Bertie cannot be left out of it following some promise over a shorter trip last time but Hapthor is the selection.
Rare Coincidence 16-1 (10-12) Chased leader after 2nd, ridden approaching 7th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kings Rock (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Apr, 12 ran.
Political Paddy 15-2 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway to take closer order 4 out, chased leader next until one pace between last 2, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Kilcannon Supreme (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, blundered 7th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 12, 32l behind Hora (11-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Indy Mood 100-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 9th of 13, well behind Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Hapthor 13-2 (11-8) Held up, headway to lead approaching 4th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Kings Maiden (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 6f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Lago 12-1 (10-12) Held up, mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Ballynure (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr, 13 ran.
Cool Cossack (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Behind, struggling 4 out, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 44l behind El Bandindos (11-10) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jul '07.
Wee Bertie (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 15, 13l behind Warsaw Pact (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Waterski 150-1 (11-2) Held up, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Skippers Brig (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy, 10 ran.
Billsgrey (IRE) 80-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon struggling, behind from 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Don't Ask Me (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
