chased leader until slightly hampered 2nd, stayed prominent, went 2nd again approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
always behind
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, eased towards finish
led, ridden approaching last, headed flat, soon beaten
chased leader and jumped left 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, always towards rear
Nonrunner
Elegant Clutter gets the call over Forbearing, Simonovski, Speed Venture and Goss. Elegant Clutter had been in a rich vein of form since coming back from over a two-year break, gaining wins at Warwick and Towcester, and on the strength of those efforts was sent off favourite at Bangor just eight days ago. Hie performance was in truth disappointing as he never made his presence felt, and it could not have been the testing ground as he has won in such conditions before. He was held up throughout at the Welsh track though, and maybe he needs to be ridden with a bit more authority, which hopefully will be the case today. Forbearing lost his place but ran on again to take fourth here a fortnight ago and is another that will perhaps benefit from more forceful riding, while Simonovski was in the process of getting in the shake-up when falling at the last at Newton Abbot and could make his presence felt in a weak race like this. Speed Venture has course-and-distance form to his credit, while Goss would be more fancied if not for his long absence and topweight. For the winner we return to Elegant Clutter.
Goss 12-1 (11-8) Led to after 1st, prominent to 4 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 15, well behind Prairie Sun (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Oct.
Dramatic Quest 25-1 (10-9) In touch, mistake and weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jonny's Kick (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Speed Venture 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden after 4th, weakened after next, 8th of 14, 27l behind Merryvale Man (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (10-7) Held up and behind, driven along approaching 5th, struggling and no impression from next, 5th of 9, 38l behind Red Moor (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Imperial Royale (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, weakened next, 11th of 15, 43l behind Donie Dooley (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Forbearing (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place 6th, rallied approaching 2 out, kept on, never troubled leaders, 4th of 15, 12l behind Donie Dooley (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 20l behind Pay Attention (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Dec '04.
Simonovski (USA) 7-1 (11-7) Led and jumped right throughout, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, close 2nd but held when fell at the last in race won by Traprain (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr, 8 ran.
