close up, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, one pace next
held up in rear, headway between last 2, ridden and ran on strongly flat, nearest finish
towards rear, ridden 4 out, behind when fell last
in touch, every chance 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway and every chance 3 out, 5th and beaten when fell last
towards rear, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no extra flat
led, headed approaching 4th, weakened 4 out
close up, every chance 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch, headway to lead 3 out, clear next
towards rear, headway and in touch 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from 2 out
Chef de Cour came up against an improved sort last time and can get back to winning ways at the expense of Merryvale Man, Nerone, Rising Generation and The Joker to name but a few. There are plenty in with a shout here, but Chef de Cour has in the main been in good form this season, winning his first three starts. He travelled well for most of the way on his latest outing at Wetherby eight days ago, but unfortunately bumped into the handicap good thing Town Crier who was well in, having won over fences the time before. There is no Town Crier in the line-up today though and he can take advantage to get back on track. Merryvale Man was given a most positive ride when making all at Ayr last time but has more to do now, while Nerone will be given a patient rode by Timmy Murphy but will perhaps struggle at the business end again. Rising Generation has topweight to overcome, but this course and distance winner can make the frame at least. The Joker should definitely be noted in the market as he seldom wasted his visits over in 2004. He has been off a while but you can be sure he is not coming over just for the fresh air. On form though, the one to beat is Chef de Cour.
Rising Generation (FR) 13-2 (11-9) In touch, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Flying Enterprise (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Crazy Horse (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, smooth headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Westmeath Flyer (11-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Apr.
Chef de Cour (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Town Crier (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Kimbambo (FR) 6-1 (11-1) In touch, pushed along 9th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Kinburn (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Credit (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 22l behind Hernando's Boy (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
The Joker (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led last, stayed on, won at Newcastle 2m amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov '03 beating Bergamo (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Nerone (GER) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Oso Magic (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Merryvale Man 9-4 (10-1) Led until blundered 1st, tracked leader, led again after 4th, ridden after 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Timbuktu (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
