led, headed after 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, never near leaders
mid-division, headway 6th, blundered next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
behind, reminders 5th, never dangerous
held up, headway 3 out, led, going well before next, ridden and kept on flat
behind, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 3rd last, no chance with 1st 2
chased leaders to 7th, behind from next
tracked leader, led after 6th, ridden and headed when blundered 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
soon behind, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, challenged next, rallied flat, not reach winner
Nonrunner
A tough handicap hurdle to solve here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights, but the principals look to be Phoenix Eye, Michabo and Corso Palladio, and the tentative nomination is given to Phoenix Eye. The selection was a fair second behind Sun King last time out doing all his best work at the finish. He looks sure to improve for the step up in trip and under similar conditions here he looks the one to be on. Michabo rates the main danger on his latest fifth behind Country Escape. The fitting of a first-time visor could sharpen him up and despite top weight he will not be far away. Corso Palladio would have a chance on his best form but he has disappointed for no apparent reason of late so cannot be put forward with much confidence. However he is another sporting a first time visor. Mister Fizzbomb was second behind Andijan in a seller last time and is another with place claims but he is hard to win with. Of the others, Smart Tiger has conditions to suit and could go well at a price with his yard in form but for the winner we return to Phoenix Eye to minimum stakes.
Michabo (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) With leader, led 2nd, hampered by loose horse, headed 5th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 14l behind Country Escape (11-6) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
El Dee (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Pauillac (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Corso Palladio (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 11, 23l behind City Affair (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Aug.
Smart Tiger (GER) 9-2 (11-6) Driven along after 5th, always towards rear, 5th of 9, 42l behind Lord Lington (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) sft in Aug.
Border Tale 9-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Naomh Aaron (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
Phoenix Eye 12-1 (10-3) Behind, driven and headway 2 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Sun King (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
That's Racing 5-1 (12-0) Held up in touch, weakened after 5th, 4th of 9, 21l behind Eastern Dagger (9-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Andijan (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hdl (5) frm in Aug.
Lone Soldier (FR) 66-1 (10-7) Bumped 1st, behind until ridden and kept on from 2 out, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 20l behind Crafty Lady (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd sll hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Tojoneski 50-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden 7th, soon struggling, 12th of 17, well behind Fortunate Dave (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Rocknest Island (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, weakened 7th, 7th of 18, 37l behind Something Silver (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
Tayman (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Pulled early and chased leader, ridden and weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Native American (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 3f hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul, 10 ran.
Kaparolo (USA) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders to 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Not Today Sir (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (4) gd in Aug, 11 ran.
