led and jumped left, hit 3rd, headed after 3 out, 5th and weakening when blundered next
tracked leader, driven and outpaced after 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, challenged last, held near finish
in touch, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon behind
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
behind when blundered 4th, never dangerous
towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace
mid-division, on outside, reminders 4 out, soon lost pace
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, never able to challenge
always behind
keenly in touch, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden next, held on near finish
behind, lost touch 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
behind, headway after 3 out, ridden and stayed on well from next nearest finish
Young Tot gets the nod in the opener, with Reedsman and Simon's Seat expected to provide the sternest challenges. There may also be a little more to come from Little Tobias at this level and he is one to bear in mind if there is any support for him in the betting ring. Simon's Seat ran a fair race at Stratford earlier in the week and his connections obviously think a race like this is well within his capabilities. However, the fact that he is winless from 31 starts under both codes tells its own story and he is not one to be relying upon too heavily. Reedsman, incredibly, ran a respectable race over six furlongs at Thirsk on Friday and will not be found wanting for fitness. However, his efforts in this grade over hurdles are hardly inspiring and he appears to lack resolution in a finish Still, his yard are a shrewd outfit and, as this is a bad race, he can play a leading role here. Nevertheless, We prefer to go with Young Tot, who is ostensibly bred for the National Hunt game. The seven-year-old was not beaten far in a Novices' event 10 days ago and a repeat of that performance would suffice in this company.
Longstone Lass 16-1 (11-3) Led, headed 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by In Good Faith (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (G) gs in May, 15 ran.
Little Tobias (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led, headed after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Champagne Harry (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f clm hdl (F) gd in Jun.
Simon's Seat (USA) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden, every chance 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 27l behind Sterling Guarantee (10-7) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (G) gs.
Young Tot (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, ridden, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 10l behind Queen Excalibur (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
Dan de Lion 16-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 14, 33l behind Two Steps To Go (9-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) frm.
Mapilut du Moulin (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 8th, ridden after next, 5th and weakening when stumbled and fell at the last in race won by Angie's Double (10-7) at Southwell 2m 5f nov sll hdl (G) gd, 14 ran.
Un Autre Espere 50-1 (10-11) Hampered 2nd, always towards rear, 6th of 10, 34l behind Red Moor (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs.
Reedsman (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Soon tracking leaders and keen, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 37l behind Lone Soldier (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Jun.
