in touch, challenged 3 out, soon led, headed approaching 2 out, no impression under pressure before last
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out and jumped right, clear before last, stayed on well
pulled hard in touch, stumbled 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 5th, hit 3 out and headed, soon outpaced, stayed on approaching last
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, no impression and soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd after next, every chance when ran out 3 out
always in rear, tailed off
held up in rear on outside, headway after 5th, mistake and led 3 out, soon headed, weakened after 2 out, went left last
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until ridden after next, weakened approaching 5th
mid-division, lost place and ridden after 3rd, not fluent 5th, rallied after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
chased leader until 4th, soon lost place, well behind approaching 6th, tailed off
Some less than reliable types line up here but Paul Nicholls and David Pipe don't often turn to this sphere and one of them should be rewarded, with NANGA PARBAT narrowly preferred to Fourty Acers; Alrafid can come home best of the rest. Our selection hasn't been seen since 2008 but ran well in a handicap here at Newton Abbot that day and used to go well fresh in his prime. Ryan Mahon is decent value for his 7lb claim and providing the market makes positive noises our selection should go very well. Strictly speaking he's got plenty to find with 123-rated Fourty Acers on these terms but David Pipe's charge is better over much further and is opposed with that in mind, although he doesn't have fitness questions to answer and will do for many. Alrafid is at his best around Fontwell but has at least shown himself capable of winning elsewhere. On his form over fences the gelding would have a chance here but he needs to step up and can be opposed unless backed off the boards. Wild Tonto is younger than many on show and is officially the third best horse so can't be ruled out for a top yard. Indeed, it'll be interesting to see how he goes in the betting in relation to stablemate Mr Melodious, a four-year-old who hasn't had much racing but on jockey bookings appears the second-string. There are some good yards represented in this claiming event and one of them can land it, with our idea of the winner being Nanga Parbat.
Nanga Parbat (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 9th, led 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Insignia (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Jul '08.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, close 3rd 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Valento (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, pushed along 7th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Quo Video (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Fourty Acers (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Led to 5th, led again after next, headed 4 out, outpaced when hit next, weakened from next, 6th of 15, 16l behind Mith Hill (10-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Alrafid (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Earlsfield Raider (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Mix N Match 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 8l behind Serious Choice (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Stance 25-1 (11-5) Always behind, 6th of 17, well behind Gaspara (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
The Clubhousebee (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Soon mid-division, 8th before straight, ridden in moderate 5th before 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 14l behind Rossdara (10-9) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Bubbs 16-1 (10-0) Prominent, behind from 6th, soon tailed off, 7th of 17, well behind Gaspara (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Mr Melodious 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inside, driven and outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, 8th of 10, 39l behind Alph (11-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Pips Assertive Way 9-2 (10-3) Led after 1st, blundered, headed next, lost place when not fluent 3rd, last 4th, behind after, tailed off, 4th of 9, 49l behind Nez Rouge (10-9) at Stratford 2m 3f clm hdl (4) gf in Aug.
