chased leaders, pushed along 4th, soon lost place
tracked winner, ridden 3 out and outpaced, one pace from next
made all, hit 1st, clear 2 out, kept on well, pushed out
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, reminders approaching 4 out, went 3rd approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, effort 4 out, weakened approaching next, never dangerous
held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up behind, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, fought out for 2nd place from 2 out when no chance with winner, no extra in 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, chased winner approaching 3 out, quickly weakened next
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in rear, hit 3rd, steady headway from 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
The Jigsaw Man rates highly whilst Salute Him has a touch of class but the suspicion remains that we haven't seen the best of BLACK COFFEE who is given another chance. He has joined Nicky Henderson's yard from Jessica Harrington for whom he showed a fair level of ability. He hasn't achieved a great deal for his new trainer since running a vaguely promising race on debut but hasn't had many chances and could be worth persevering with. The Jigsaw Man looks to have more scope than most in this race but the sharp nature of this track and the drop back to two miles may both count against him although he does have McCoy on his side. Salute Him is a fascinating runner as he's a smart performer on the level but has never really delivered over hurdles; he might yet. Son Of Flicka won the race in which the selection fell and should go well again, Dantari, Divers and Nearby all ran decent races behind David Pipe trained winners last time and have live claims of going one better whilst it would be folly to dismiss Cheshire Prince who should be ideally suited by this track. They've all shown more than Black Coffee but we can't shake the suspicion that he has more to offer.
Son Of Flicka 3-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, left 2nd at 3rd, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, hit 2 out, kept on well from last, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Apr beating Dancewiththedevil (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Dantari (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Prominent, chase winner before 2 out, no impression flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Mous Of Men (10-6) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Joined when hit 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 12, 29l behind Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Nearby 6-1 (11-10) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, hit last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sure Josie Sure (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Divers (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, soon ridden, hard pressed last, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Black Coffee 13-2 (11-1) Led until fell 3rd, in a race won by Son Of Flicka (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Olympian (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort to chase leaders next, one pace approaching last, 7th of 13, 19l behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Cheshire Prince 5-2fav (11-12) Keen and held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 29l behind Sonning Star (10-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Forty Thirty (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Took keen hold in last, no chance, chased winner after 2 out until jumped left last, weakened, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Barizan (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Salute Him (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 1st, always in rear, 6th of 8, 50l behind Little Bob (10-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in May '09.
Well Disguised (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, struggling 3 out, 7th of 12, 24l behind Sure Josie Sure (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
High Bird Humphrey 25-1 (10-1) Raced wide, held up in rear, headway on outside before 2 out, soon ridden, no further impression, 8th of 14, 22l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
