tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after last, kept on and held towards finish
in rear, reminders approaching 5th, hit 6th, reminders next, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, led 2 out, kept on from last, driven out
led, reminders approaching 11th, headed 12th, weakened 2 out
with leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, jumped right 4th, jumped right last, rider dropped whip soon after, went 3rd run-in, until last 100 yards, no extra
mid-division, reminder after 7th, went 2nd after next, outpaced 2 out, rallied to take 3rd run-in, one pace
tracked leaders, led 12th, headed 2 out, weakened after last
General Hadi stayed on well to win last time at this track and Karelian is a previous course and distance winner but we give the nod to the veteran in the field, TOULOUSE EXPRESS. The selection beat General Hardi two races ago when a pound higher in the weights. With 9lbs in hand today, Toulouse Express appears set to get the better of General Hardi once more. The pick ran poorly in his last appearance at Market Rasen but with a return to a course that he clearly favours this could lead to a marked improvement. General Hardi possibly performs better with a longer trip considering his two wins have come over at least half a mile further. A really good run last time beating Neptune Equester by two lengths here means that he is strongly worth including in calculations. Karelian won here in 2007 but since then has shown very poor form. After pulling up last time we have no confidence in this Ferdy Murphy gelding and we oppose him today. Soubriquet could challenge if returning to the ability that saw him get back-to-back wins last April. The trip shouldn't be a problem but the form of late is, with little to suggest he could compete here. Our choice is Toulouse Express.
General Hardi 11-1 (10-0) Always front rank, hit 2nd, 2nd 14th, led 18th, ridden and joined last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr beating Neptune Equester (10-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Karelian 33-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, tailed off approaching 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Summer Soul (11-10) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Soubriquet (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 34l behind Beidh Tine Anseo (10-10) at Perth 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf in May.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, 39l behind North Island (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Back To The Wind (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led until headed approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Our Choice (10-12) at Southwell 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun '08, 14 ran.
Broadway Star (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 24l behind The Snail (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jan.
Nile Moon (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Led, headed 10th, chased winner, ridden approaching last, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Red Dynamite (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Indiana Gold (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Close up, led approaching 5 out, headed approaching 2 out, rallied and one pace from last, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Star Galaxy (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar.
