tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, chased clear leaders from 3 out, always held
in touch until ridden and weakened 3 out
kean, led 2nd, soon clear, slight mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, very easily
in touch, headway to track winner 3 out, mistake 2 out, always held
held up rear, ridden after 4th, never dangerous
keen and led 1st, headed before next, in touch until weakened after 3 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before 2 out
held up rear and very keen, ridden approaching 4th, outpaced but stayed on from 4 out
towards rear, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
led approaching 2nd, soon headed, tracked winner until weakened after 3 out
saddle slipped, pulled up before 3rd
Ilabon is the selection over the so far disappointing Still Speedy, and Coolbythepool in a moderate looking affair. There is nothing to get excited about here, with nothing making too much appeal, apart from Martin Pipe's Ilabon. The ex-French gelding has yet to open his account on these shores, but has gone close on a couple of occasions and will benefit from the drop in grade here. Second at Leicester in January on what was his first run since March 2003, he was not surprisingly down the field in Sandown's Imperial Cup, and then finished eighth in Listed company at Aintree. The longer trip seemed to suit him that day and it is a bit worrying that he is back over two miles, but the opposition are not up to much so he still looks the one to beat. Still Speedy has been costly to follow since his bumper days and was a faller on his hurdles debut at Fakenham. The ability is there somewhere, but until he shows some of it, cannot be backed with confidence. Ian Williams has his team in reasonable shape so Coolbythepool may run well for a place. Six times a winner on the Flat, he was an encouraging sixth at Stratford on his hurdles bow recently, so should improve again. However, Ilabon is more experienced and should have this lot's measure.
