held up, headway over 2f out, ridden when hampered over 1f out, ran on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
soon tracking winner, ridden 3f out, faded final furlong
never better than mid-division
always towards rear
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra
made all, clear 3f out, kept on, ridden out
towards rear, headway on rails when not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong
always towards rear
Something of a novelty race this, with the flat jockeys taking on their jumping counterparts. The jumping lads have dominated in recent years and can do so again, with Tony McCoy's mount NISAAL our selection, ahead of Spotty Muldoon and Collateral Damage. John Quinn's four year old is lightly raced, and his best effort to date came when fourth in a handicap at the Lincoln meeting. The step up in trip looks encouraging, and he's entitled to come on for that. Ruby Walsh is on board Collateral Damage, who's not even been placed in eight runs since winning at Pontefract just over a year ago. He may be carrying too much here to end that stat. Handicap debutant Spotty Muldoon is lightly raced, breaking his maiden last time out at the third attempt. The ground may be too firm for him though. Most of these have won over this trip, but last year's winner Bustan and Twilight Star have managed that here. They may need the run though. Our preference, to minimum stakes, is for Nisaal.
Bustan (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Pulled hard in mid-division, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 7l behind Mahadee (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance 2f out to over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Wovoka (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders stands side group, weakened 3f out, ridden over 2f out, 18th of 20, 24l behind Mister Hardy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Phluke 25-1 (7-11) Chased leader, to inside final 5f, prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 8l behind Forgotten Voice (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Mount Hermon (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 15l behind Storm Sir (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Nisaal (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, led stands side group near finish, no chance with far side group, 4th of 20, 9l behind Mister Hardy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Shanzu 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden, lost place well over 1f out, soon behind, 9th of 11, 9l behind Light From Mars (8-13) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Daaweitza 10-1 (9-12) Always rear division, 8th of 11, 11l behind Smarty Socks (9-12) at Doncaster 7f ldy hcp (4) gf.
Ocean Legend (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in 6th, ridden on outside over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 8, 11l behind Soccerjackpot (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Twilight Star (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 12l behind Bullet Man (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
North Parade 7-2 (9-7) Held up, towards rear, headway on outer 3f out, effort when hung left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Bridgewater Boys (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3f clm stks (6) fbs in Mar.
Spotty Muldoon (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left and went 2nd over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, soon led, ran on, won at Warwick 1m mdn auc stks (6) sft in Sep beating Seventh Cavalry (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Millfield (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, effort 2f out, hard driven over 1f out, keeping on one pace and no chance when briefly short of room inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Hawaana (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Ryedale Ovation (IRE) 6-4fav (8-9) Held up in rear, headway on inside to chase leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Highly Regal (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
