reluctant to race and started very slowly, always behind
mid-division, dropped to rear 2nd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 7, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace under pressure
in touch to halfway, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden next, one pace from 2 out
in touch, weakened 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra
mid-division, headway 7th, effort 3 out, led last, stayed on well
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next
Nonrunner
Doubts can be raised about most of the field, so Little Task is only a tentative choice to get the better of Wise Tale, Manoubi and Russian Sky. The last named is a consistent enough type to expect a bold run for one of the places. However, he has been very hard to win with and is not one to rely upon too heavily. Maoubi has cheeckpieces fitted for the first time, presumably in the hope that he will be sharpened up by the move. His last few starts give him place claims in this company but he is also proving a touch unreliable when it really matters. Kidithou is another worth a mention, as he has shaped up nicely in defeat of late. Still, he also needs to improve his concentration and, as Brian Harding has yet to ride him in public, this tricky customer may be best watched today. Wise Tale will no doubt be a popular choice in his bid for a third consecutive victory. He gets the trip well and is worth a saver if the prices permit a few corners to be covered. However, Little Task rates as a more sporting option after putting in a solid effort to win at Stratford last month. The seven-year-old likes a good test of stamina and is fancied to rise to the challenge again in the Kelso finale.
Hugo De Perro (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Very reluctant to race, tailed off, headway after 2nd, went prominent 5th, weakened 8th, 8th of 10, 29l behind Kristoffersen (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Jun.
Kidithou (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Led until mistake and headed 3rd, remained close up, led again after 3 out, headed after last, kept on, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Lanzlo (11-10) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in May.
Speed Kris (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Held up, outpaced from 4 out, never dangerous after, 6th of 9, well behind Drumbeater (10-4) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Sept.
Manoubi 9-2 (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Michaels Dream (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Aug.
Russian Sky 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, kept on but no impression from next, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Drumbeater (10-4) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Sept.
Eyze (IRE) 200-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, fell 17th pulled up at the 17th in race won by Grey Abbey (11-12) at Ayr 4m 1f Scottish National (A) gs in Apr '04, 28 ran.
Wise Tale 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, reminders after 5th, led approaching 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Sept beating Coccinelle (11-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Little Task 7-1 (9-12) Held up, headway 8th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Sept beating Nightwatchman (10-11) by 2l, 8 ran.
Winds Supreme (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Behind, mistake 9th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Hard Winter (11-9) at Thurles 3m beg chs sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Old Nosey (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Not fluent, always in rear, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 7, 41l behind Billy Ballbreaker (11-1) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in May.
Penteli 10-1 (9-9) Held up, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 9, 19l behind Miss Shakira (10-4) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Sept.
Lion Guest (IRE) 10-3fav (11-1) In touch, chased winner after 3 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Noble House (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Aug.
Valerun (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Mister Moussac (9-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Jun '04.
