led, ridden, not fluent when headed after 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied from last, kept on run-in, no impression
held up, pushed along approaching 3rd, soon lost place, tailed off
held up, weakened from 7th, tailed off
held up mid-division, jumped slow 1st, soon lost place, weakened 6th, tailed off
held up towards rear, weakened 8th
tracked leader, took closer order 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from last
held up in touch, led after 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, soon clear
towards rear, headway 8th, chased winner approaching 3 out, one pace when mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, jumped right 2nd, quickly weakened from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
This could turn out to be a battle between Winter Star and The Good Guy, although Photogenique has some modest form too, but we'll go with Winter Star to end a severe case of seconditis. Runner up in his last 4 outings, Evan Williams' gelding is certainly consistent, and has a stone less to lug around than The Good Guy who's on a three timer. Both are way ahead of the others in terms of official ratings; The Good Guy may attempt to make all as was the case last time out. He's got the hang of jumping now, but may just be carrying too much weight. Photogenique was in contention until making a mistake last time out at Worcester a couple of weeks ago. Expect her to be ridden prominently again, and if you ignore that recent run, she looks to be heading in the right direction. There appears to be a fair forest full of dead wood in the opener, and we'll be looking for a bright show from Winter Star.
The Good Guy (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Made all, hit 6th and 3 out, soon hard pressed, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Alecia (10-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Delorain (IRE) 80-1 (10-1) Always in rear, 7th of 13, well behind Herecomestanley (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Duggan's Forge (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, struggling 6th, soon lost touch, 7th of 10, well behind Le Beau Bai (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Lake Barrine 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 6th, soon tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Gurteenoona (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Lord Morley (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Good Line (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs.
Royal China (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up in race won by Karo De Vindecy (10-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May '07, 13 ran.
Trainers Dilemma Spartan Heights gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Winter Star 7-4fav (10-7) In touch, ridden to lead 3 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Gurteenoona (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Sumner (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, bumped badly 1st, headway after 6th, soon pushed along, no impression, 7th of 13, 35l behind Advancement (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Bleak Friday 100-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Herne Bay (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
Photogenique (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Prominent, mistake 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Barneys Mate (10-7) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 11 ran.
