in touch, headway 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
always behind, held off from 6th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway 6th, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out
chased winner until 5th, ridden after next, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway after 5th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened after 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 6th, no impression until stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, no impression
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
made all, stumbled badly 1st, stayed on strongly, easily
traced winner, hit 5th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
raced wide in rear, tailed off from 6th, pulled up before 2 out
Iambe De La See is probably better than he has shown in his last two starts in handicaps but is difficult to recommend and a chance is taken with the hurdling ability of Liberman, who could be different class to these. The winner of the Champion Bumper at last year's Festival meeting did not impress with his hurdling on his debut over timber when successful at Musselburgh last month and looks thrown in on bumper form off a mark of 109. Martin Pipe's gelding was pulled up on his handicap debut at Haydock three weeks ago but that was over 2m4f and, over this shorter trip, the six-year-old looks worth another chance. Stablemate Turkestan has a long absence to overcome, while The Gene Genie now looks to be in the grip of the handicapper. A similar comment may also apply to Time To Shine, who was well held by the promising Young Collier at Newbury last time back in a non-handicap. The five-year-old mare is now 11lbs higher than when scoring at Folkestone previously. Coulthard is better treated now than for some time but is on a long losing sequence and bigger threats may come from Physical Graffiti now that Jim Old's stable have hit form and the lightly raced Breknen Le Noir, from the stable of Philip Hobbs. However, while doubts remain concerning the hurdling ability of Liberman, Martin Pipe's gelding looks worth a bet in a poor race by the track's standards.
