in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, mistake 2nd, headway after 6th, ridden next, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leaders to 8th, weakened next
prominent, led 4th, ridden 2 out, clear when hit last, stayed on
led to 4th, stayed with leaders to 9th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 5th, tailed off 9th
always behind, tailed off and pulled before 3 out
behind, mistake 4th, headway 6th, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
Max Pride had a good season last term, winning twice over fences having won on his reappearance over hurdles, but is 10lbs higher here so we prefer to side with handicap debutante Jenga, who gets the vote over the consistent Terdad. The last mentioned has finished in the money in each of his last six starts but has gone up another 6lbs for his latest run and seems to be in the grip of the handicapper at present. A similar comment may apply to Accepting who has struggled since winning a weak event at Huntingdon in May. More solid claims are held by Max Pride who remains well treated over hurdles, if judged by his improved form over fences last term and he has to be respected. Like the selection, Charm Offensive won her most recent start (in a classified hurdle) and does come here race fit. However, she lacks the scope of Jenga and Kim Bailey's unexposed mare looks the one to be on. The daughter of Minster Son sprung a surprise when making a winning debut at Ludlow in January but showed that was no fluke when following up at Exeter subsequently. She has been allotted a mark of 109 for her debut in this grade, which looks fair, and, with any further rain sure to suit, appears the safest bet.
