towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, headway and every chance 2 out, no extra, run in
held up in touch, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in touch, headway on outside 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, headway 4 out, led last, soon clear
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on one pace from after 2 out
in touch, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
led, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, run in
in touch, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened before next
This looks to rest between Celebration Town, Gospel Song and Colorado Falls, with the latter getting the verdict. Peter Monteith's six-year-old is far less experienced than his rivals here but has the most scope judged on the evidence of two outings so far. Having been a Newmarket maiden winner for Henry Cecil in 2001, it was hard to know what he would make of Cartmel in heavy ground on his debut over hurdles the following year, but he did the job nicely, and added to that with a win back on the Flat at Haydock that same summer. The son of Nashwan has obviously had problems since, but belied his odds of 100/1 when third to Chivalry here three weeks ago, his first outing in a year and a half. He will come on a bundle for the run, and connections will be confident that he can go close. Despite having a mind of his own, Celebration Town was good enough to win four times on the Flat but began to dislike starting stalls, so went jumping last year. He has picked up two wins at Hexham, both on fast ground, but does act in the soft and is one for the short-list. Gospel Song beat all bar the useful Bob The Piler at Newcastle last time and is still well handicapped on his old form, while Kharak will be popular with the locals and may be capable of reaching the frame. The one that they have to beat though is Colorado Falls.
