mid-division, mistake 6th, pushed along 8th, mistake 4 out, hit 2 out, stayed on flat, never troubled leaders
rear of mid-division, headway 6th, disputing close 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 8th, led approaching 4 out, edged left flat, all out
in touch, lost place 6th, back into contention 9th when mistake, ridden 4 out, struggling when mistake and hampered 3 out, disputing moderate 5th when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, lost place when hit 4th, headway to 6th, mistake 9th, weakened 4 out, no chance when pulled up before last
held up, headway approaching 9th, mistake and hampered 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 7th until approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out
led until hit 4th, remained prominent, every chance approaching 4 out, 2 lengths down last, stayed on flat
led 4th to 7th, mistake 8th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
mid-division, mistake 8th, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, nearest finish
mistakes, chased leaders to 8th, no chance when fell heavily 3 out
The drop in trip is a concern for Even Flo and there are a few interesting opponents; Catch The Wing is numbered amongst them and receives the nod. He is selected in no small part due to the form of the O'Neill yard which has had six winners from their last fifteen runners; true, he has been well held in all four starts but that is reflected in his handicap mark and the switch to chasing could see him in a better light. He's certainly starting off at a modest level and if the market gives out the right vibes then he should be supported. Oponce is a candidate with similar credentials from a respected yard and it would be no great surprise to see either one or both of these improve past some of the more exposed performers. Red Dawn fits that category and is still searching for his first success after twenty four attempts; a place may be the best on offer once again. Ballybough Jack showed up well a couple of times in the winter but has gone off the boil again and couldn't be supported with confidence and nor could Sarobar although Aidan Coleman is an interesting booking for Tony Carroll's runner and he's worth a second look. Even Flo comes here at the top of her game and merits considerable respect but she's now 15lbs higher than when winning and has been racing over further of late. She deserves to head the market but with concerns about the rise in the weights and the drop in trip plus the presence of some unexposed horses from respected yards means that we're content to take her on and will do so with Catch The Wing.
Even Flo 4-1 (10-11) Held up well in rear, headway on outside 12th, every chance 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Earcomesannie (9-10) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Oponce (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 14, 34l behind Desert Lover (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Ballybough Jack (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, 37l behind Extra Bold (10-11) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Always Baileys (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, chased winner 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Kirby's Vic (10-13) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Suprendre Espere 28-1 (10-6) Chased leaders to 5th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by John Forbes (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar, 13 ran.
Rich Nomad 7-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, just over 2 lengths down in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Lord Alfred (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Catch The Wing (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, closed 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 41l behind Earcomesthedream (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Red Dawn (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Soon led, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Mistral De La Cour (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Jun.
Ballinruane (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, prominent, hit 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 10, 20l behind Investment Affair (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in May.
Katy's Classic (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, reminder after 5th, struggling 9th, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Alfred's Tower (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs in May, 11 ran.
Sarobar (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, jumped left 3rd, lost place 5th, stayed on one pace from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 12l behind Ground Breaker (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Trampoline King (USA) 66-1 (10-11) Led, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Commemoration Day (11-0) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gf in Jun.
