prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and close up over 3f out, soon weakened
made all, ridden over 2f out, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened quickly over 3f out
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase winner final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, ridden halfway, soon weakened
behind, effort over 6f out, weakened over 4f out
Pistolet Dove is unlikely to be the most original selection of the day, but this is a weak bumper and Phillip Hobbs' representative is difficult to overlook; Bagenaud and Maften may be the best of the rest with experience, while Regal Show is under the care of a shrewd handler and this son of Desert Prince can find a race somewhere along the line. Maften was never more than an also-ran on his debut at Sedgefield and already has improvement to find. However, he is related to a handful of jumps winners, so cannot confidently be ruled out. Neither can Bagenaud, who was very well backed on his debut here 17 days ago. However, he weakened very tamely near the finish and only a much improved effort would be good enough. Therefore, the logical process brings us back to Pistolet Dove, who, being from the same family as Champion Hurdle winner Flakey Dove, can be expected to get better with time. Hobbs has found a good opportunity for the gelding to take a few steps forward and, as his Haydock debut is easily the best piece of form on offer, Pistolet Dove gets a confident vote in the finale.
Freedomofthecity (IRE) City Honours gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/bumper Practician.
Pistolet Dove (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, some headway over 6f out, lost place over 3f out, 9th of 17, 18l behind Checkerboard (10-10) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Regal Show (IRE) Desert Prince gelding, half-brother to winning sprinters Coconut Penang and Millbag.
Baguenaud (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, headed 2f out, soon ridden and beaten, 8th of 18, 16l behind Pouilly (10-11) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in Jul.
Maften (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to over 5f out, soon ridden and beaten, 6th of 12, 8l behind All For The Cause (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May.
Yachvili (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 7th 5f out, no extra under pressure straight, last of 9, 18l behind Life For Rent (11-11) at Tipperary 2m nhf hvy in Jul.
Miss Carry On 50-1 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Pouilly (10-11) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in Jul.
