held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden 5th, no impression
soon mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, hit 3rd, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway 5th, led approaching last, ran on
mid-divsion, lost place 4th, no danger after
chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra towards finish
in touch, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, mistake and lost place 1st, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened last
behind, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never nearer
behind, headway 5th, not clear run when switched and hung left approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
with leader, led 3rd to 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
The presence of Martin Pipe's Westender, and stablemate Copeland, at the top of the handicapper ensure that the Swinton should be less competitive than the numbers suggest with only a third of the field in the weights proper and the vote goes to Demi Beau. Although 2lbs "wrong" Charlie Mann's gelding has every chance at the weights judged by his unlucky defeat at Aintree last time, when still there with every chance when falling at the final flight in the race won by Puck Out. The stable's horses remain in good form and, in receipt of so much weight from Westender, he gets the vote. Tony McCoy's mount looked as though he was feeling the effects of some hard races when third to Hasty Prince at Sandown last week and preference among the Pipe runners is for Copeland, who won the Scottish Champion Hurdle in some style last time. Philip Hobbs- team are not in the best form of their lives at present so In Contrast is probably best watched, along with The French Furze, who shows his best in the winter months. Among the other horses in the handicap proper, Tysou has lost his way in recent seasons, the four-year-old Howle Hill faces a stiff task against seasoned campaigners and Tik-A-Tai needs to improve again. Colin Tinkler's Smart Savannah was a progressive performer last term but this looks his toughest assignment to date and of more interest may be Dalaram, who hails from an in-form yard and could have further improvement in him. The vote though goes to Demi Beau, who is taken to atone for his defeat at Aintree.
