always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, went 2nd approaching 7th, led 3 out, ridden and drew clear approaching last, pushed out
chased leaders, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, 5th and beaten when blundered and unseated rider last
led, not fluent second, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on one pace flat
held up, headway when blundered 7th, ridden and one pace from next
mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader to approaching 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, jumped right first, blundered and reminders 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, hit first, lost place approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, mistake 6th, headway next, ridden when hit 2 out, one pace approaching last
mid-division and pulled hard, mistake 3rd, steady headway approaching 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, headway after 7th, ridden and weakened after 2 out
A typically hum-drum selling contest with the usual batch of rogues, dubious characters and out-of-form horses taking their chances. On old form L'Etang Bleu would be an automatic choice. He was second to Bee and Bee at Exeter in December and at one time was rated 100 over hurdles. He looks to have become rather temperamental these days and almost refused to start on his last racecourse appearance. Orange Tree Lad is moderate but at least, straight-forward. He was a little disappointing at Hereford on Saturday but invariably manages to hit the frame for supporters. Strait Talking is certainly one for the short list. His canny trainer is not adverse to taking a tilt at the ring and if he is allowed an easy lead, he could be very difficult to peg back. The booking of JP McNamara, rather than a conditional rider, clearly catches the eye. We also recommend a watch on the market on Dinofelis. Mark Brisbourne's gelding is often the medium for gambles in such low-grade contests and he almost pulled one off in this grade on the flat last week. Pythagoras is given as the tentative selection. After a long absence, he has had a couple of pipe-openers on softer ground and with conditions much faster and Timmy Murphy booked, he holds decent prospects in a tricky contest.
