led, pecked when went lame and headed after 3 out, behind when pulled up and dismounted after next
behind, headway when pecked 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 6th, left in lead after 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, ran on
towards rear, mistake 5th, ridden and headway 7th, weakened 2 out
prominent to 6th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up and dismounted before 3 out
behind, headway 3rd, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, headway after 4th, soon ridden and behind
towards rear, headway to join leader approaching 5th to 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace flat
took keen hold, always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden 2 out, every chance last, close 3rd but held when went lame and eased close home
behind, mistake 5th and 6th, headway when not much room after 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
keen and jumped right, chased leaders until weakened quickly after 7th, behind when pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 7th, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before 3 out
From a shortlist of Mistified, Smith's Tribe, Gin 'N 'Fonic and Jimmy Byrne, the vote goes to Mistified. Mistified has shown more than enough in his last four runs to be granted serious consideration here, even though he has the build of a chaser. Just a four-year-old, he should have better to come and can go well in a modest event. If it wasn't for the fact that Smith's Tribe has been absent, his overall form in a fairly light career gives him solid claims, while a return to the level of form that saw Gin 'N 'Fonic finish third to McBain at Newton Abbot four runs ago would give him leading claims, and the cheekpieces are back on now. Sound Skin appears to be improving but others hold stronger claims. Jimmy Byrne was winning on the Flat from a mark of 70 last summer and ran well at Market Rasen in a first-time visor last time and, if it works again, he holds a chance. Smiling Applause showed some improvement last time and might improve again. Even though he was beaten in a seller, Earn Out could be interesting from the Martin Pipe yard if supported, while the hunter chaser Good Heart ran well in a chase last time and might go well back over hurdles in a modest event. Watch for money for Irish import Fencethegap, while Similoa might bag some money. Harry B showed some form on the Flat three years ago and is visored for the first time, so attracts some thought, but the rest are hard to fancy on what we know. This returns us to Mistified, who gets the call.
Smith's Tribe 14-1 (11-5) Led to 4th, led again 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind He's A Leader (10-10) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) sft in Nov.
Jimmy Byrne (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, cleared 3 out, ridden next, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Qualitair Pleasure (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd.
Sound Skin (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden and every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 5l behind Percipient (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (F) gd.
Mistified (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden to join leader 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Dubai Ace (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gf.
Gin 'n' Fonic (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Held up last when fell at the 4th in race won by One Cornetto (11-1) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (D) gf, 9 ran.
Harry B 9-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 16, 31l behind Kims Pearl (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Simiola 40-1 (10-4) Pecked 1st, always behind, 8th of 10, well behind Rajayoga (11-4) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (E) gf.
Caucasian (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Held up, mistake 2nd, ridden after 11th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Our Jolly Swagman (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 5f sll hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in May, 8 ran.
Fencethegap (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) 3rd of 10, 1l behind Highlands II (12-0) at Upper Sapey 3m ptp gf in May.
Good Heart (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Jupiter's Fancy (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f nov hts chs (H) gf in May.
Earn Out 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 18, 14l behind Lucky Do (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 3f amt sll hcp hdl (G) gf.
Mr Wonderful (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, trailing from 6 out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Good Thyne Jack (10-8) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp hdl gs in May '04.
Smiling Applause 100-1 (11-1) With leader, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last, 6th of 12, 14l behind Thyne For Intersky (11-7) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Ice Rain (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Prominent, led approaching 8th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, eased, 12th of 15, well behind Red Ensign (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Nov.
Smileafact 33-1 (10-3) Towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd and 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 40l behind Swifts Hill (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Lescer's Lad 50-1 (10-0) Led until after 2nd, chased leaders until 5th, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 49l behind Gemini Dancer (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Lady At Leisure (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 8, well behind Zonergem (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in May '04.
