held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, chased leader 3 out, led soon after 3 out, ridden, driven, headed flat
held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
close up, chased leader 3rd until approaching 3 out, soon one pace
led, ridden, headed soon after 3 out, one pace from next
Another tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Backstage, Elaala and Sir Haydn and the vote is given to the last named. The selection won well last time out when beating Colton, he enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark and under conditions that suit he looks a value bet. Backstage rates the main danger on his latest third behind Lennon in a chase. He returns to hurdles on a fair mark and as he goes well fresh he could go well at a price. Elaala is another that could go well on his best form but he was pulled up for no apparent reason last time out so he cannot be put forward with much confidence. Dhehdaah looks vulnerable under top weight. Of the others Tora Petcha hails from a yard in form but for the winner we return to Sir Haydn who looks progressive.
Dhehdaah 11-2 (10-5) Held up, headway after 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 34l behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
Adjami (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leader, moderate 2nd for much, closed 4 out, lost place next, no impression under pressure from 2 out, 8th of 11, 23l behind Ri Na Deise (9-12) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd.
Backstage (FR) 7-2 (10-11) Tracked winner, led 4th to 5th, outpaced 4 out, lost 2nd 3 out, soon weakened, last of 3, well behind Lennon (11-12) at Aintree 2m nov chs (2) gd in Nov '06.
Sir Haydn Evensfav (11-9) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 2nd, ridden to lead on bend before 2 out, edged slightly left, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf beating Colton (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tora Petcha (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, weakened next, last of 9, well behind Cantabilly (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Oumeyade (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 15th of 16, well behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Elaala (USA) 5-1 (10-8) Held up towrads rear, headway 5th, lost place after 4 out and pulled up in race won by Traprain (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf, 9 ran.
General Smith 25-1 (11-5) Held up last, effort 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 8th of 11, 12l behind Felinious (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
