chased leaders, ridden after 7th, slightly outpaced, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd and hung left run-in
tracked leader, led approaching 5th, headed and hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened run-in
held up, headway approaching 5th, with leaders after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on to lead at the last, driven out
led until 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, went prominent at 5th, led 3 out, soon ridden and drifted right, headed at the last, no extra
towards rear, headway 6th, weakened after 7th
in touch until 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, some headway 5th, weakened after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
The three for the shortlist look to be The Luder, Ballyjohnboy Lord and Beyondtherealm, with our vote going to The Luder. Raised eight pounds for a Wincanton win last time, The Luder remains lightly raced and open to improvement and, as such, seems to have a pretty good profile for this race. Although disappointing last time, Ballyjohnboy Lord had looked progressive in winning twice before that and his mark remains one from which he ought to be able to win. Beyondtherealm improved to score at Chepstow last time and, for us, the handicapper does not seem to have overreacted to that so he is also respected. The others, overall, seem to need to find some improvement in order to feature, although Bumper is hard to fully quantify but will certainly appreciate today's trip to the one he raced over at Bangor last time. All of which returns us to the selection, which is The Luder.
The Luder (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway after 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, driven out and ran on gamely from last, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan beating Saltango (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-10) In touch, led narrowly before 10th, headed soon after 2 out, no exrta, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Alfasonic (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Bumper (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Chased winner, led 2nd to 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Call Oscar (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Cockatoo Ridge 20-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, blundered, lost place 7th, soon tailed off pulled up 2 out in race won by Alright Now M'Lad (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs, 12 ran.
Seeador 6-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out, 2nd of 15, 28l behind Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Beyondtherealm 5-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4th, went 2nd 4 out, led soon after last, ran on flat, won at Chepstow 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Nov beating Amanpuri (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, hit 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression after, 4th of 14, 14l behind Temoin (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Joizel (FR) 25-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, ridden and headway 3 out, not quicken, 4th of 14, 19l behind Alikat (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb '05.
