in touch, ridden after 2 out, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, ridden after 2 out, never dangerous
made most, raced keen, not fluent 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on well from final furlong
led 1st, raced keen, soon headed, blundered 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from final furlong, held towards finish
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, kept on from last, no extra towards finish
always behind
led to 1st, tracked leaders, ridden, hit 2 out, no impression
SPA WELLS earns the vote in the finale whilst Farne Island and Guerilla are also expected to go well. The selection won this race last year, beating a fair sort in Leamington Lad, but has only had one run since and that was on the level the following month. He therefore has a bit to prove but it would be no surprise if he were primed for a repeat and he's only got an 8lb higher mark to defy. Guerilla hasn't always been the easiest to predict but his recent course win brings him firmly into the equation whilst Desert Soul and Bed Fellow are unexposed enough to be worth a market check as is Don't Think Twice. Stylish Shot has no easy task on his return from a lengthy absence but Annibale Caro is fit from the Flat and respected. Farne Island has also had a recent spin on the level and should go well but he's yet to win a race over obstacles so Spa Wells is preferred.
Spa Wells (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, led next, drew clear from last, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jul '08 beating Leamington Lad (11-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Stylish Shot (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Towards rear, ridden and some headway from 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 15l behind Recovery Man (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun '08.
Annibale Caro 5-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, blundered 6th, not fluent next, short lived effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 21l behind Solway Sunset (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Farne Island 7-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, keen, led 4th, hit next, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, last of 4, 16l behind Hunting Tower (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Don't Think Twice (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, no impression from 3 out, 11th of 18, 11l behind Inis Ceithleann (11-10) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 gd.
Guerilla (AUS) 5-1 (10-11) Keen early, towards rear, last when not fluent 6th, headway approaching 2 out, never nearer, 4th of 13, 13l behind Ruby Valentine (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd.
Desert Soul 25-1 (10-11) With leader, hit 5th, ridden and weakened next, 6th of 12, well behind Spirit of The Mist (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Bed Fellow (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 1st, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 9th of 11, 38l behind Peaceful Means (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (4) gd.
