took keen hold and prominent, led 12f out, headed 9f out, weakened and well behind final 6f, tailed off
pulled hard, with leaders, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on again final 2f, no danger
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, weakened quickly
took keen hold in touch, weakened and behind final 6f
soon prominent on outside, wide bend over 9f out, led over 2f out, clear when rider dropped whip over 1f out, pushed out final furlong
behind, and never near leaders
unseated rider and bolted to post, prominent to halfway, soon behind
held up in touch, headway halfway, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon no impression winner, but kept on well for clear second
held up, headway to chase leaders 10f out, hard ridden and one pace final 3f
close-up led 9f out to 4f out, weakened quickly
held up well behind final 6f
took keen hold, made most to 9f out, soon behind
in touch, until weakened and behind final 6f
in touch, outpaced 5f out, stayed on again final 2f but never dangerous
Noel Chance's runners always have to be feared in this type of race so Soviet Society gets our vote but keep an eye on the betting. Of the others, Bonnett' Pieces is interestingly bred, Sintos finished second in a modest affair here on her debut, Presence Of Mind has likeable breeding, and Venetia Williams' Lord Olympia, although fairly stoutly bred, has Tony McCoy booked, so grant that one respect too. Grouse Moor and Green Iceni are Flat bred so do not be surprise if they go well, while Mark Pitman's Frozen Assets showed promise on his debut but has a long absence to overcome. Celtic Ruffian was well beaten in a four-runner affair on his debut which brings us to the only previous winner in the contest, Lancier d'Estruval. He came off the bridle early in that Uttoxeter win but came home well. However, winners racing under penalties have a fairly poor record in this type of race so, on this occasion, we will side with Soviet Society.
