held up, driven along 12th, effort after 14th, weakened 4 out
held up, headway approaching 10th, weakened before 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 9th and ridden, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent when mistake 1st, soon lost place, always behind after, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway 13th, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway 13th, ridden to go 2nd 3 out, hung right approaching last, one pace flat
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
chased leader until led 10th, ridden 14th, hung right approaching last, stayed on well flat
prominent, jumped right 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, 4 lengths 4th when fell 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 11th, weakened 14th, no chance when hampered 3 out, tailed off
led to 10th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Music To My Ears, General Grey and Red Echo are three against the field in this handicap chase and the tentative nomination is given to Music To My Ears. The selection was a fair second behind Lahinch Lad last time out. That form has since been franked and with this slightly shorter trip also in his favour he looks a value bet in an open affair. General Grey rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Quick but he is far from consistent so can not be put forward with any confidence. Red Echo is another that could go well on his latest second behind Fountaine Crumble but that form has since been let down and he looks vulnerable off this mark. Kilbeggan Blade won well last time out but will find this handicap company tougher and his inexperience may find him out. Of the remainder Keltic Lord has conditions to suit and has dropped to a handy mark so should be noted in the market but for the winner we return to Music To My Ears who looks sure to run his race.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Towards rear, driven and headway 8th, ridden 11th, weakened next, 6th of 8, 42l behind Fool On The Hill (11-3) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in May.
General Grey (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up early, in lead when came back into view 13th, clear 4 out, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in May beating Quick (11-2) by 3l, 6 ran.
Moscow Whisper (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Led, jumped right 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened soon after and mistake last, 4th of 5, 12l behind Business Traveller (10-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Kilbeggan Blade 4-5fav (11-2) Held up rear, mistake 12th and 13th, headway 4 out, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) sft in May beating La Griffe (11-2) by 14l, 7 ran.
Music To My Ears (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Prominent, blundered badly 17th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and led 3 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Lahinch Lad (9-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Keltic Lord 13-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, blundered 11th, mistake 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Lahinch Lad (9-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Red Echo (FR) Evensfav (11-11) Tracked leader, led approaching 7th, mistake and headed after next, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Fountain Crumble (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (4) gf in May.
Acertack (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led to 11th, ridden 12th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Terramarique (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
