keen mid-division, improved 9th, chased winner next, ridden and joined winner 3 out, weakened after 2nd last
chased leader, led 3rd, until 8th, weakened and mistake 12th, fell 14th
in rear, ridden halfway, effort 3 out, weakened next
held up, improved 10th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on to take 2nd near finish
held up mid-division, mistake 7th, ridden 12th, soon behind, stumbled over 2nd last, soon pulled up
close up, slow 4th, and lost place, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner last, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, chased winner 11th, ridden and one pace from 3 out
led, headed 3rd, led again 8th, pushed along 3 out, stayed on flat
Rustic John has so far failed to live up to his pedigree and is hard to back with any confidence in a race that is taken to go to the reappearing Alfie's Sun, with Hopesarising rated the main danger. The selection has not been seen since December 2005 but has gone well fresh before and has ground conditions to suit so he gets the vote to win a race that he is more than capable of doing. Rebel Army has given little cause for optimism, while Shraden Edition is consistent but does tend to find at least one too good and he may have to settle for a minor role again. Multiple winning pointer Cosmic Sky cannot be ruled out on his return to rules and he makes a big threat along with another race fit and in-form performer Hopesarising. Rustic John has solid claims if fit enough though and he gets the vote.
Alfie's Sun 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Alderburn (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Dec '05.
Cosmic Sky 4-1 (12-0) Led til hdd 2 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Artic Jack (12-0) at Horseheath 3m ptp gd.
Fantastic Champion (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-0) Ur 2 unseated rider in race won by Bell Rock (11-0) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Jan, 15 ran.
Hopesarising 11-4fav (11-7) Held up, headway 3rd, jumped left 11th, hung right from approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon went 2nd, no chance of winner, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Chita's Flight (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hts chs (5) sft.
Izzyizzenty 13-2 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 11; outpcd 15; went rem 2nd last, 2nd of 10, 25l behind Cold Play (11-7) at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp.
Rebel Army (IRE) 5-1 (12-5) Never going well; t.o & pulled up in race won by Abbey Days (12-5) at Weston Park 3m ptp sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Shraden Edition 5-2 (11-7) Chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Kiora Bay (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hts chs (5) gd in May.
Thompsons Wood (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led to 3; held frm 2 out, 5th of 11, 10l behind Quarter Masters (11-0) at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp in Jan.
Rustic John 5-1 (12-0) Sn prom; led 8-12; chsd wnr 15; wknd 2 out, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Rum Cake (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd.
