always prominent, led 3 out,driven out
led, headed 3 out, one pace
held up, soon tracking leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up, chased leaders from 4 out, weakened between last 2
always behind, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, one pace 3 out
always towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, outpaced 3 out
This not an ideal race if you need to dig yourself out of a hole; so a cautious approach is advised when siding with SIR KEZBAAH, who is recommended as the best option in the finale. There are dangers aplenty: Dontpaytheferryman is fit from the flat and, having gone close in a selling hurdle at Stratford 11 days ago, he has to be considered as a big threat. Brian Ellison's charge does, however, concede 2lb to the selection; so needs to be right on top of his game today. Flash Cummins is difficult to weight up, as all his best form has been over a much longer trip. That said, he will handle the ground and, as he represents powerful connections; he can't confidently be ruled out. Delightfully has switched yards since she was last seen in competitive action and may have been freshened up for the move. She possesses ability and may find another race before too long. However, it has to be a concern that she has suffered with breathing problems, so it may be prudent to employ a watching brief for the time being. Therefore, with all things considered, the unexposed Sir Kezbaah gets a speculative nomination this afternoon. Quite understandably, Victor Dartnall rarely sends one all the way to Carlisle from his base in Devon, so it can be seen as a significant factor. Combine that with the doubts about the others and the case for the unexposed Sir Kezbaah becomes all the more compelling.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 11-4 (11-2) Held up, headway 6th, chased winner next, got to within 3 lengths when awkward on landing 2 out, no impression last, 2nd of 8, 6l behind The Good Guy (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f cnd/am sll hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, not fluent 1st, ridden and weakened 6th, 6th of 11, 44l behind Santia (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Flash Cummins (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along after 7th, headway approaching 2 out, took poor 2nd last, 2nd of 8, 17l behind Backstage (10-12) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Delightfully (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 49l behind Lady Sambury (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Stolen Light (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Led until blundered and headed 3rd, behind and reminders 7 and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Charlie Crab (11-11) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul '08, 7 ran.
Caheerloch (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, approaching 3 out, headed after next, weakened last, 6th of 13, 17l behind Weather Front (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May '08.
Royal Flynn 28-1 (10-5) Held up, pushed along 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 14, 33l behind Bijou Dan (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Amjad 20-1 (10-6) In rear, pushed along 4th, 10th and still plenty to do between last 2, ran on to take 3rd near finish, never nearer, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Etoile d'Or (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
