mid-division and fell 6th
mid-division, headway to track leaders when hit 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out and drew clear from last
always handy, ridden and led approaching 3 out, headed next, soon one pace
held up, hit 7th, ridden after 9th, weakened after next, soon beaten
led, hit 7th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 9th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon once pace
mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon lost place and beaten
tracked leaders, hit 4th, effort after 6th, soon lost place, ridden approaching 9th, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden and ourtpaced and lost place approaching 9th, stayed on from last, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway approaching 9th to chase leaders, ridden approaching 3 out and every chance, soon one pace
Afrad, The Luder and Heir To Be make most appeal and we shall side with The Luder. Paul Nicholls' charge has already been talked of as a future chaser but if he can handle Saturday's conditions, there is every reason to suggest that this race is well within his compass. Afrad can pull hard early so Mick Fitzgerald's first job will be to get him settled. His better form is with cut in the ground but this isn't such a strong race and he could get away with it here. Heir To Be has a light racing weight. His trainer has said that he can become disappointed in a strong run race but he was most definitely on best behaviour at Wincanton and won as he liked. The French Furze would be a romantic winner but the old boy has a tough task off top-weight. Mughas was a useful novice but succumbed to injury. Alan King is not in the habit of taking potshots with his horses and the presence of a first time visor is noted. River Alder posted a shock victory at Kelso but more is required here. The Luder looks to be on the upgrade and we shall recommend him on this occasion.
The French Furze (IRE) 150-1 (11-10) Reluctant to line up, behind, never dangerous, 9th of 18, 21l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mughas (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 8th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, 3rd of 21, 9l behind Refinement (10-12) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Afrad (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened after 7th, 24th of 30, well behind Sky's The Limit (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Mirjan (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up, headway and hung left from 3 out, switched right before last and kept on flat, 6th of 17, 9l behind The Market Man (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
Monolith 20-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Heir To Be (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
The Luder (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Made all, quickened clear after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Surface To Air (10-5) by 8l, 15 ran.
Inching Closer 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 24, 10l behind Kadoun (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Heir To Be 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden when blundered 2 out, challenging when mistake and left in clear lead last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar beating Pardon What (9-11) by 9l, 13 ran.
River Alder 20-1 (11-5) Close up, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating Pay Attention (11-5) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Indy Mood 25-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 23l behind River Alder (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
October Mist (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, 4th of 15, 8l behind River Alder (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Monte Cinto (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 17, 20l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
