chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway to track leaders after 2 out, led well before last, ridden clear, comfortably
led, under pressure after 2 out, headed well before last, no chance with winner
held up in rear, under pressure 6th, beaten when hit 2 out
chased leader, driven along 6th, weakened 3 out
kicked at start, chased leaders until weakened 2 out, well behind when pulled up before last
led in start, keen hold, held up in rear, hit 4th, brief effort approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
raced wide, held up in touch, chased leading pair 2 out, weakened under pressure between last 2
held up last, pushed along and stayed on between last 2, kept on flat to take 3rd final 75 yards
Isle de Maurice, Helm and Roaringwater form the shortlist here, with the last-named horse getting the call. In fairness, Almavara, Helm, Roaringwater and Isle de Maurice all have enough in their profiles to suggest that they can run well in a modest contest, with the application of first-time blinkers swinging the vote Roaringwater's way. Finally, Schindler's List will have to improve on what he has shown so far in order to feature here, and Rude Health has so far failed to build on his Market Rasen hurdling win, from a mark of 78, and Geography has not built on his Fontwell handicap win (from a mark of 76) which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Roaringwater.
Almavara (USA) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened after 4th, 5th of 10, 29l behind Hawridge Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Helm (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, moderate headway from 2 out, not reached leaders, 7th of 24, 25l behind Water King (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs in Nov '05.
Roaringwater (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 11, 17l behind Gidam Gidam (11-7) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Isle de Maurice 50-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 7th, 4th and held when mistake last, 4th of 13, 6l behind Almizan (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Lavenoak Lad 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, faded from next, 9th of 13, 24l behind Once A Brownie (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Schindler's List 100-1 (11-0) In rear, effort approaching 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Supreme's Legacy (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Rude Health 20-1 (10-3) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, saddle slipped and mistake 6th, behind when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Avitta (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.
Silverio (GER) 9-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 8th of 16, 12l behind New Mischief (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Geography (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Fullards (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 10 ran.
