mid-division, headway 13th, third and weakening when fell 3 out
led to 3rd, prominent, led 14th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened last
held up last, not fluent 9th, mistake 10th and 11th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 18th
tracked leader, led 3rd to 9th, ridden 14th, weakened 15th, pulled up before 2 out, dismounted
held up last, ridden 16th, weakened 18th
prominent and pulled hard, led 9th, headed before 14th, ridden 17th, weakened before 18th, tiring when mistake and unseated rider last
held up in touch, headway 15th, tracked leader 18th, pushed along to lead 3 out, driven out flat
Once again, not a straightforward race but it might just go to Stennikov, but most of the runners can be given a chance. In a race where the betting might provide some clues, particularly where the local runners are concerned, Stennikov, from the Paul Nicholls yard, might be the one. His old hurdling form gives him a chance from his current rating of 100 and he has since won in the pointing fields. Ok, he comes here after a 157-day break from racing but, given that he is still only eight years old, he should have improvement to come, and he's in very good hands for that to be the case. The Sawdust Kid ran pretty well last time considering he was returning from a very long absence and is reasonably weighted if close to his best. Frederic Forever ran a bit flat last time but had proven generally consistent before that. He is four pounds higher in the ratings than for his most-recent success but, with his rider taking off a useful three pounds, he can go well. Silver Pot Black can be given a chance if in a going mood, while Just Reuben, even though each of his three career wins has come at Fontwell, is now back to a mark from which we know he can win. This leaves Rolfes Delight, who won this race two years ago from a two-pound higher mark, and can be given a chance on that basis. Overall, though, the vote goes to Stennikov.
