held up rear, headway after 3 out to chase leading pair, soon ridden, rallied well run-in to go 2nd close home
held up, headway and hit 3 out, drew clear with leader next, led approaching last, ran on well, ridden out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up rear, took closer order after 3 out, ridden and found nil next
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led, soon clear, ridden and headed after 2 out, 2nd and held when blundered last, lost 2nd close home
in touch, blundered 1st, took closer order after 3 out, ridden and weakened quickly next
chased leaders until 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
It is hard to get away from Fontanesi here but, that said, we are going to side with Handy Money, with others to consider being Freedom Now, Grouse Moor and Nanga Parbat. The Martin Pipe-trained Fontanesi got back to winning ways last time when benefiting from a falling handicap mark to win the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He is effectively six pounds well-in based on his revised rating so, with connections electing to run him before that kicks in, his chance is an obvious one. However, the course and distance winner Handy Money holds a good chance too, even though he has been raised 10 pounds for that track effort, because he absolutely bolted up on that occasion and he has a progressive profile. Freedom Now looked good in racking up three novice wins earlier in the season and it will be interesting to see how he fares for new trainer Robert Alner. Given that Grouse Moor is ten pounds better off for the five-and-a-quarter lengths he finished behind Handy Money over course and distance last time, he is weighted to get closer today. That said, as we say, the winner bolted up on that occasion. Nanga Parbat is on the up judged on his Newbury win, although the runner-up has since let the form down, while Captain Miller has a little to prove at present, and Mystery looks as though improvement is needed. Overall, then, we will side with Handy Money.
Fontanesi (IRE) 16-1 Held up, steady headway approaching 2 out, good progress approaching last, led after last, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd beating Stance by 2l, 30 ran.
Handy Money 4-1 Always going well behind leaders, led on bit 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs beating Prince of Persia by 4l, 8 ran.
Freedom Now (IRE) 14-1 With leaders until approaching 3 out, tailed off, 14th of 24, well behind Hordago at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gd in Nov.
Ma Furie (FR) 7-1 Held up mid-division, jumped left 2nd, headway 3 out, led last, headed flat, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Fortune Island at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs.
Grouse Moor (USA) 14-1 Held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Handy Money at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.
Captain Miller 4-1 Blundered 1st, tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Transit at Sandown 2m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs.
Nanga Parbat (FR) 9-2 Held up, ridden approaching 2 out, good headway on stands' side to lead and jumped left last, driven out, won at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs beating Amnesty by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mystery (GER) 3-1 Mid-division, headway 5th, jumped slowly 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Conroy at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
