with leader, led 2nd to 5th, led again 7th, ridden approaching last, edge right flat, headed post
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened before next
chased leaders, led 5th to 7th, ridden every chance 3 out, weakening left 3rd next
led to 2nd, prominent to 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 5th, headway and not much room approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 6th, challenged from 2 out, ridden, hung left last, ran on to lead post
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hampered 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 1st, ridden after 6th, weakening when not fluent and saddled slipped 3 out
behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 7th
held up, headway 7th, ridden in 3rd and 2 lengths when fell 2 out
unruly start, always behind
prominent, keen, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Gondolin is sure to have his supporters here with the booking of Tony McCoy catching the eye, but we prefer the claims of Destino and City Affair with the vote given to the last mentioned. The selection has disappointed a couple of times this year but on both occasions he was racing on a soft surface. He ran much better last time under today's conditions which are more suitable for him when fourth behind Dash For Cover at Exeter, and at the forecast odds he looks worth taking a chance on. Destino is trained by Sue Smith and anything she sends to post in these type of events is entitled to plenty of respect. He ran well behind Freedom Now at Hexham last time and if he is ready to do himself justice on his first outing of the year then he could go well. Gondolin put up a cracking effort last time at Stratford behind Charlie's Double. The cheek pieces seemed to galvanise him that day but they are left off this afternoon and for that reason we are happy to oppose him. Siena Star has been in fair form of late and is another worthy of consideration, but for the winner we will take a chance on City Affair.
Tinstre (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 6th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 15, 7l behind Blue Hawk (10-3) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Siena Star (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 7th, hit 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 24l behind Earlsfield Raider (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in May.
Skibereen (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 2 out, weakening when hit last, 5th of 16, 8l behind Kims Pearl (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Oscars Vision (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden 6th, soon struggling, never a factor, 9th of 14, 16l behind Eau Pure (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Mar.
Delphine 40-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 16, 18l behind Shady Grey (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (E) gd in May.
Court One 16-1 (10-0) Always behind, 15th of 19, 30l behind Buffalo Bill (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Dec.
Virtus 9-2 (10-9) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 40l behind Polished (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Liberty Boy (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Lonesome Man (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd, 7 ran.
Red Tyrant 40-1 (12-0) ran out in race won by Bugle (11-7) at Bonvilston 3m ptp gf in May, 9 ran.
Gondolin (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-2) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway 7th, every chance after 2 out, one pace after last, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Charlies Double (11-1) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
City Affair 7-1 (10-6) Held up behind, ridden and headway after 7th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Dash For Cover (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf in May.
Roscam 12-1 (10-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, driven along after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 14th of 19, well behind Willoughby Joe (10-7) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec '03.
Fairmorning (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th and no chance when blundered last, 5th of 17, 40l behind Angie's Double (9-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in May.
Destino 7-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 2nd, remained prominent, effor 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 26l behind Freedom Now (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
