chased leader, ridden and weakened after 6th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3f out, soon no chance
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway and chased leaders 2f out, weakened last
in touch, ridden 8th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd from last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
led, ridden and headed 8th, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden 7th, weakened 8th
chased leader, led 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace
always behind, lost touch halfway, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, headway 8th, led 3 out, jumped left last, driven out flat
Seven Is Lucky has to be of interest first time in a handicap but David Pipe's gelding does not appear to be particularly well treated and a better bet looks to be Petitjean, with Tempting Paradise rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was not beaten far in a decent handicap chase at Cheltenham on his recent reappearance and looks worth a bet back over hurdles off a 23lb lower mark today. Tom George's Kathleens Pride is less exposed than most of these but made a promising start to his handicap career when last seen in March. Optimistic Alfie represents the in-form yard of Brendan Powell and has to be respected along with the Evan Williams-trained Tempting Paradise. Petitjean has solid claims though and the Phillip Hobbs-trained gelding gets the vote.
Count Boris 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, struggling 8th, behind 10th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Ibberton (10-4) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 14 ran.
Mayeul (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Always in rear, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Saunders Road (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Petitjean 7-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 7th of 19, 7l behind Knowhere (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leader until approaching 3rd, remained in touch until weakened after 3 out, 5th of 15, 35l behind Investment Wings (10-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden 5th, some headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 23l behind Chery D'or (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Kathleens Pride (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led, ridden, headed 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Otantique (11-5) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Optimistic Alfie 18-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, hit 7th and 8th, soon ridden, kept on, close 3rd when hampered last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 2l behind The Crazy Parson (9-11) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Ouragan De Prairie (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Held up, progress after 7th, 8 lengths 4th when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out, 6th of 10, 47l behind Calusa Caldera (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
In Deep 50-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden next, one pace, 4th of 11, 12l behind Boychuk (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Oct '05.
Honour's Dream (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, went left 2nd, ridden next, kept on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 21l behind President Royal (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Blakeney Run 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division until 6th, 9th of 17, 47l behind Otantique (11-5) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Radigan Lane 100-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 8th of 14, 41l behind Hendre Hotshot (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Bernard 13-2 (10-0) Prominent, losing place when hit 5th, not fluent 7th or 8th, weakened 11th, 6th of 13, 30l behind Go Classic (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
