held up towards rear, ridden and lost place 15th, weakened 17th
towards rear, ridden17th, no chance
held up in touch, chased leader 9th, led 10th, mistake and headed 17th, one pace from 3 out
led to 10th, chased leaders, ridden to lead on inside approaching 3 out, hard ridden from last, held on
held up towards rear, chased leader 10th, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and mistake 16th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, lost place 14th, headway 16th, led after 17th, headed approaching 3 out, rallied from last, ran on strongly flat, not reach winner
always behind, pulled up after 14th
This is a competitive hunters' chase to close the card and the leading lights appear to be Red Brook Lad, Risk Assessor and Long Night and we will side with Risk Assessor. The selection has been running in stronger races than this and he should also be suited by the drop in trip today. His stable are in good form and with the very capable Alan Berry doing the steering he looks to represent the value in the race. Red Brook Lad has been in good form of late and he does go well for today's pilot, but the bottom line is that he is better over a shorter trip and for that reason we are happy to take him on. Long Night is an improving type but he was pulled-up last time and he will need to step-up on his previous efforts if he is to get his head in front today. However, he is lightly-raced so there is reason to suspect that there could be more to come from him. Sonevafushi and No Retreat are others with decent form that should not be dismissed lightly, while the booking of Polly Gundry catches the eye on Back Nine. However, Risk Assessor has plenty in his favour today and gets the vote.
No Retreat (NZ) 9-4jt-fav (12-5) Led to 5 & 7-13; led 16-17; wknd 19, 5th of 11, 41l behind Vinnie Boy (12-5) at Dunthrop 4m ptp sft in Jan.
Red Brook Lad 13-8 (11-0) Held up; hdwy 12; led aft 2 out; drew clr flat, won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Bally Blue (11-0) by 7l, 10 ran.
Risk Accessor (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Mid-division, hampered 8th, mistake 14th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 18, 39l behind Lacdoudal (11-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Sonevafushi (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Led, clear after 13th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 8, 18l behind Sir Rembrandt (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in May.
Whitenzo (FR) 22-1 (9-13) In touch, hit 14th and 15th, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, virtually pulled up flat, 11th of 18, well behind State of Play (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Long Night 7-2 (12-7) A.p; led 13-15; led 3 out; all out, won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan beating General Blackthorn (12-0) by 3l, 13 ran.
Back Nine (IRE) 4-1 (12-7) Sn prom; led 15-nxt; ev ch 2 out; one pce, 4th of 13, 6l behind Long Night (12-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Innocent Rebel (USA) 4-6fav (12-0) Led 2-6; ev ch when mist 15; one pce, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Thematis (12-0) at Wadebridge 3m ptp gd in Dec.
