chased winner to 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
blundered 2nd, behind, under pressure and lost touch after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, went 2nd 4 out to 3 out, rallied to regain 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd after 2 out
always behind, under pressure 6th and struggling, tailed off
behind, under pressure 6th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened before 7th
chased leaders until weakened before 7th
in rear, well behind and struggling when mistake 4 out
made virtually all, drew well clear before 2 out, easily
in rear, ridden after 6th, plugged on at one pace after
not fluent, chased leaders until weakened before 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
Having shortlisted The Hardy Boy, Billy Bray and Jim Lad, we decided to select The Hardy Boy for this modest handicap. Much as it was an ordinary race that Billy Bray won last time, he still has to be considered in what is a modest contest. Recent Plumpton winner Opportunity Knocks ought to be competitive for some money, as should The Hardy Boy, particularly if a seemingly much-improved effort when winning at Lingfield last time can be believed. Jim Lad's mark seems fair and he too should be considered, while a repeat of his Bangor form from March 2005 would give Gerrard a chance. Finally, first-time headgear will need to bring improvement from Real Definition if he is to feature but, for the selection, we return to The Hardy Boy.
El Viejo (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, chased winner until after 9th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Zalda (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Maximinus 10-1 (10-9) Left in lead 2nd, clear until badly hampered by loose horse and headed 8th, headway 10th, every chance 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 21l behind What'sonyourmind (10-2) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Anshabil (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In mid-division when fell in race won by The Hardy Boy (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs, 15 ran.
Billy Bray 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 8th, kept on to dispute lead last, led soon after, kept on, won at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft beating Glen Thyne (11-9) by 11l, 10 ran.
Atlantis (HOL) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden 6th, weakened next, 4th of 10, 14l behind Batchworth Beau (10-5) at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Red Granite 9-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway approaching 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 8, 22l behind Siegfrieds Night (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Opportunity Knocks 11-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened 8th, 5th of 15, 33l behind The Hardy Boy (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
The Hardy Boy 66-1 (10-2) In touch, tracked leaders 4 out, hit 3 out, in command and kept on strongly from next, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs beating Myson (11-10) by 9l, 15 ran.
Jim Lad 14-1 (10-8) In touch, reminders 6th, outpaced next, stayed on from 3 out, left 2nd last, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Brave Villa (11-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Gerrard (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 8th, behind 10th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Eveon (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May, 15 ran.
Sett Aside 11-4 (10-7) Raced in 3rd, went 2nd 14th, lost 2nd 3 out, regained 2nd 2 out, no chance, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Superrollercoaster (11-6) at Folkestone 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Real Definition 7-1 (10-10) Towards rear, ridden to chase leaders 15th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 16, 27l behind Honor And Glory (10-2) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
