tracked leaders, went 2nd and fell 10th
prominent, close 3rd when brought down 10th
raced keenly, in touch, left 2nd 10th until driven 2 out, weakened before last
led, ridden and hit 3 out, driven and headed last, eased when no chance with winner flat
close up when hampered and unseated rider 10th
raced wide, held up, slightly hampered 10th, pulled up before next
held up in rear but in touch, left chasing leading pair 10th, went 2nd going well 2 out, led on bit last, pushed clear run in, eased near finish
Master d'Or gets in here on bottom-weight and can take this contest from Haafel and Myson. The selection was a reasonable hurdler last season, winning a Plumpton event by 22 lengths. He has only had one outing over fences, that was in February, when he came a cropper in the race won by Lashkari. No doubt his able trainer beleives he is ready to try fencing again and he does get in here on avery fair mark. Huntingdon winner Haafel is from a yard in good form and although on a pretty stiff mark should make his presence felt. Myson was a model of consistency last season and even managed a smooth victory over course and disatance. If fit following a summer break, he should be in the shake up. The best of the rest could be top-weight Harry Collins, but on this occasion we will go to the other end of the handicap and select Master d'Or.
Harry Collins 2-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, headway to lead 13th, blundered last, soon headed and no extra, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Kelly (11-6) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (D) gd in May.
Haafel (USA) 11-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Up The Glen (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Myson (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Close up in chasing group, ridden and slightly hampered 4 out, stayed on to take 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Native Daisy (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.
Manawanui 9-4fav (11-6) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, well behind Dr Charlie (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in May '04.
Royale Acadou (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Soon behind, trailing when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Kew Jumper (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (E) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Lucky Sinna (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Galtee View (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Master d'Or (FR) 11-8fav (10-9) Held up behind, good headway after 7th, disputed lead 3 out, not fluent next, weakening when blundered last, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Monger Lane (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) hvy in Apr.
