held up, headway after 4 out, soon one pace
always behind, pulled up 2 out
in touch, ridden and effort 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 3 out, led next, driven out
led 1st, headed and remained prominent, led again approaching 4th, hit and headed 5th, weakened next
mid-division, slow 4th, headway next, soon one pace
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
led after 1st, headed approaching 4th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on under pressure
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed next, stayed on same pace
The vote here goes to Screenplay, with others considered being Air Guitar, Gallant Hero, Rome, Zonic Boom and Given A Chance. Screenplay's Flat form is as good as any of these, and he showed enough in being placed in both hurdling starts to date to suggest that he holds solid claims today. As such, he gets the call. Air Guitar certainly showed promise over hurdles in Ireland, and has to be considered. Dyneburg showed some promise at Market Rasen, but did not build on it last time. Gallant Hero showed plenty of promise on the Flat but then was injured after showing a modicum of promise over hurdles. He's been off for a while now but hails from a good yard and the market might provide clues. Fit from the Flat, Rome holds very solid claims at his best, as this is a modest heat overall. Zonic Boom is also interesting on his hurdling debut from a good yard. Given A Chance's Market Rasen second last time puts him in the mix, while Maria Bonita has at least won the Flat, and Resonance hails from a good yard. He should be watched in the betting but the vote goes to Screenplay.
Danebank (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden and kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Stan (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Dyneburg (POL) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, effort and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 21l behind Irish Wolf (10-12) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf.
Gallant Hero 5-2fav (11-2) Led until blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Flame Phoenix (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (D) gf in May '04, 11 ran.
Rome (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 32l behind Material World (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr '03.
Zonic Boom (FR) 6-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 3l behind Sunshine On Me (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs (Flat).
Given A Chance 17-2 (10-9) Led and soon clear, ridden and headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace under pressure last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Rajam (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Jul.
Screenplay 15-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 10l behind Decisive (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Jul.
Glowing Ember 14-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 5th, one pace and beaten in 4th when stumbled badly and unseated rider in race won by Smart Boy Prince (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gd, 14 ran.
