held up, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, some headway after 3 out, weakened quickly approaching last
disputed lead, led 5th, headed 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened
held up, headway 9th, ridden and one pace after 2 out, mistake last
disputed lead, led 2nd, headed 5th, led again and hit 7th, ridden 2 out, clear approaching last, ran on
tracked leaders and keen, mistake and weakened 3 out
never dangerous, ridden 10th, soon well behind
in touch, mistake 9th, losing place 10th, soon behind
It may be worth forgiving FAIROAK LAD a below par display and siding with him in a race where all of the field have something to prove. The in-form Phone In is a must for the short-list which is completed by Arrayou. Fairoak Lad was well backed to complete a hat-trick but failed to run his race at Perth and was beaten a long way from home. The winner and the fifth both ran respectable races next time out to give the form some substance but regardless of that the selection is capable of better than he showed there. Arrayou is more than capable of winning here but isn't the easiest to catch right whilst this looks to be nothing more than a stab in the dark for Distiller who is firmly in the handicapper's grip over two miles and far from certain to last home. Tora Bora is on a long losing streak and has shown nothing in two recent runs, Direct Flight hasn't stood an awful lot of racing lately and has a good bit to prove but Arctic Shadow is better than he showed at Aintree and could be a player from his featherweight. Phone In steps up in class and the weights but sees out this trip well enough and is at least in form which can't be said of his rivals and that alone entitles him to respect. We'll pass him over though in favour of Fairoak Lad.
Fairoak Lad (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) In touch, headway to chase leader 3 out to next, soon outpaced, 3rd and no impression when not fluent last, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Valerius (11-3) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Arrayou (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 14th of 18, well behind Mistress Nell (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Distiller (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden before 3 out, weakening when not much room approaching 2 out, 14th of 20, 31l behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Tora Bora (GER) 33-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Lysander (10-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Oct, 18 ran.
Phone In 4-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 10th, headway after next, chased leader 3 out, challenged next, led last, driven out, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct beating Barneys Mate (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Direct Flight (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) fell in race won by Creinch (9-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Arctic Shadow 14-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along 9th, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 12, 42l behind Hora (11-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Oct.
