chased leaders, went 2nd at 13th, ridden to challenge 3 out, led last, hard ridden and headed flat, not quickened
promiment, hit 2nd, soon reminded, behind 6th, pulled up after 14th
led, ridden approaching 3 out, under pressure next, headed last, hard ridden and rallied to lead flat
chased leader, ridden and weakened 4 out, eased after last
in rear, remainder after 5th, took close order approaching 6th, lost place and behind from 11th, tailed off
Fin Bec lines up in form and can make the most of the weight received from Surprising, with Free To Run also interesting. Fin Bec came back from a break with a bang when sauntering home well clear of his rivals at Towcester a fortnight ago, and despite a 9lb rise in the weights, should take the beating. The Lambourn raider likes to dominate, and those tactics have already been seen to good effect when he was an equally facile winner here in May. The longer trip will not be a problem, and as long as the ground is not too firm, he looks all set to follow up. Surprising has to concede 11bs to the selection, but given Oliver Sherwood's return to form this season, he can make a bold show. A winner at Carlisle on his return, he is better treated over fences than hurdles, and can pay to follow this winter. Free To Run may have been flattered by his proximity to Swansea Bay at Worcester the time before last, but he continues to run well against decent animals and will no doubt not be disgraced here either, without quite being good enough. Fin Bec has solid claims on all counts, and we take him to outstay his four rivals.
