pressed leader, led before 5th, hit 9th, blundered and headed 3 out, soon weakened into 4th
took keen hold early, held up in last pair, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 5th, brief rally when hit 9th and struggling after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leading trio, headway to 3rd before 2 out, stayed on flat to chase winner final 100 yards, kept on, always held
in rear, modest 6th and struggling before 3 out, tailed off
not always fluent and tended to jump left, tracked leading pair, went 2nd, 9th, challenged 3 out, every chance last, went left after last, weakened into 3rd and no extra final 100 yards
led, narrowly headed 5th, pressed leader until 9th, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, strongly pressed from last, stayed on gamely final 100 yards
A race that is far more competitive than might first appear and for the winner, we side with FIN VIN DE LEU whilst in complete respect for Latin America and Secret Stash. Charlie Mann's string struggled with a bug earlier on in the season hence why they have not made the splash they might ordinarily have. Fin Vin De Leu was a little disappointing at the Cheltenham Festival but prior to that run, he won readily at Warwick and had finished a close up second previously to a decent sort at Sandown. With ability on the ground proven, he is recommended today. Latin America hails from the resurgent Nick Gifford stable. A winner of two bumpers last year, he was heavily backed at Fontwell last time out and could appreciate this step up in trip. Secret Stash does have to give a winners penalty away. He had matters in hand at Kempton from some way out and has won previouly under these conditions. Misstree Dancer represents less illustrious connections. There is no hiding the fact that she was an emphatic scorer at Newton Abbot last time out and she now takes on both sexes. Big Bertie started at large odds on debut and ran accordingly. The others look very difficult to make cases for. Fin Vin De Leu is the call in what is an above average race by the track's standards.
Secret Stash (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Made all, mistake 4th, in command when not fluent 2 out, soon went further clear, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Benartic (11-1) by 14l, 8 ran.
Big Bertie (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened 6f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Lush Life (10-13) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr '09.
Hazy Bay 50-1 (11-3) Pressed leader until after 5th, lost place after 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Elevenses (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Latin America (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, in touch from 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Sophies Trophy (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Optimum Asset (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted before 2 out, in a race won by Caragh Bridge (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '09, 11 ran.
Fin Vin de Leu (GER) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent until lost place after 5th, soon in rear, 19th of 24, 46l behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m Juvenile Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Misstree Dancer 6-5fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, ran on strongly, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating She's On The Case (11-5) by 20l, 8 ran.
