settled behind leading pair off the pace, closed to press winner from 12th, jumped right and driven next, hard-driven and two lengths down when blundered and fell last, re-mounted
not jump well in rear, tailed off when blundered 8th, pulled up after 13th
raced in 5th, well off the pace, mistake 2nd, effort to chase leading pair when mistake 8th, 3rd and no chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leader, led 10th, 2 lengths ahead and keeping on gamely under pressure when left clear last
led to 10th, chased winner to 12th, weakened rapidly and pulled up after next
raced in 4th and well off the pace, outpaced and ridden from 12th, left poor 3rd 3 out
The Lawrence Wells-trained Just Anvil has been given a chance by the handicapper having been dropped 9lbs since making his debut in this grade last time but needs to improve and preference is for Trade Off, who gets the vote over Outlaw Express. The last mentioned has plummeted in the weights of late and showed signs of a return to form at Huntingdon last time. He has to be respected, as does the Ian Williams-trained Ungaretti, who is another to have slipped to an attractive mark but the vote goes to Trade Off. Martin Pipe's gelding showed enough on his chase debut at Ascot before falling four out to suggest that a race of this nature would be within his compass and is forgiven a disappointing effort at the same venue last time.
