led to 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off
held up, headway 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off
held up, soon in touch, went 2nd 4th, led next, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
held up towards rear on outside, headway 4th, went 2nd 7th until before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, left 3rd just after 2 out
raced keenly, tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd 5th, ridden and struggling 6th, well beaten 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, headway after 7th, never near leaders, soon weakened
held up in rear, hit 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent, mistake 2nd, behind 7th, tailed off
held up, soon mid-division, hit 4th, headway next, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, rallied 7th, went 3rd after 3 out, beaten when pulled up quickly after 2 out
BALTHAZAR KING is the selection here with Uffa Fox and Brennanstown others to make appeal. Phillip Hobbs' charge has endured a severe dose of seconditis since starting out over hurdles but on official BHA figures, he rates highly and it will be interesting to see whether those beleaguered backers row in again. Uffa Fox was a smart bumper performer and while not showing a great deal over hurdles, the booking of Robert Thornton is certainly interesting. Brennanstown won a bumper on debut for the Grissells and now comes back after absence. Lamboro Lad was beaten when an odds-on favourite for a Worcester bumper and makes a hurdling debut this evening. Mac Halen heads back to the track after capsizing at the last at Newton Abbot. No More Whispers has a fascinating pedigree and the market is watched in order to see if there is cause for optimism. Similar comments apply to fellow ex-pointer, Axango. Plenty to think about in this race and Balthazar King is recommended.
Axango (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Prominent, led briefly before 2nd to 3rd, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Hard To Please (10-13) at Killarney 2m 1f mdn hdl (6yo+) sft in Aug.
Balthazar King (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent last, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Now This Is It (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Brennanstown (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged over 3f out, led inside final 2f, driven out final furlong, won at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) gf in May '08 beating Diamond Daffodil (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Comehomequietly (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 47l behind The Ginger Man (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Lamboro Lad (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 8f out, outpaced 3f out, hung left 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Secure My Position (11-0) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Sep.
Mac Halen (IRE) 11-8 (10-9) Prominent, ridden and challenged after 3 out, held in 3rd when fell last, in a race won by Come Out Firing (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun, 6 ran.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) In rear and keen, good headway from 6th, led next, headed after 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 15, 18l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
No More Whispers (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Chsd ldrs, 4th 1/2way, went 2nd aftr 3out, 6l 2nd & no ch with wnr aftr 2out, kow, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Realt Mor (11-7) at Tallow 3m ire ptp in Feb.
Shadow Wood (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Never dangerous, 6th of 14, 11l behind Frascati Park (11-7) at Stratford 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Uffa Fox (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, unable to quicken before last, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 12, 5l behind King High (11-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Francly Flora 9-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cooksgrove Lady (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jul, 10 ran.
