led until 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, driven along after 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 7th, clear when went left 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, pecked 6th, effort after 7th, weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden after 6th, soon no chance, went moderate 4th approaching 3 out
held up, headway after 5th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon beaten
A competitive heat in which we will take a chance on SUPREME CARA; Take A Mile makes it to the shortlist with Snow Patrol. The selection makes her return to the racetrack today after a summer break and also a return to hurdles. Her two wins have come over the smaller obstacles and if we consider that she was only beaten by twelve lengths behind Labelthou in a Grade Two contest back in January, she really should be winning this. Snow Patrol's form when last seen was pretty dire but at least the handicap mark is now falling and he can take in an easier class of race, whilst Take A Mile's win last time came on better ground and his overall form suggests that he would want it quicker. Loulou Nivernais is not one to take lightly; he is not badly treated off a mark of 95 and with rain in his favour he could run well. Richard's Sundance was well-fancied when last seen but he is ultimately yet to win in nine and so we will return to Supreme Cara as the one.
Snow Patrol 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 43l behind Pistol Desbois (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar.
Supreme Cara 8-1 (11-9) Chased leader, led 9th to approaching 10th, soon ridden, blundered 11th, weakening when fell 5 out in race won by Sporting Rebel (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) In touch, went 2nd and blundered 4th, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Mister Gloss (11-4) at Exeter 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Oscar Gogo (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 8l behind Warsaw Pact (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Take A Mile (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up, headway after 7th, slightly hampered next, led approaching 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct beating Sovereign Spirit (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Master Wells (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, challenging when fell 3 out in race won by Sunnyhillboy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct, 15 ran.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 3rd to 7th, 2nd when brought down 4 out in race won by Bally Conn (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct, 21 ran.
