chased leader, challenged 5th, upsides when left alone next
led, joined 5th, fell next
chased leading pair, close 3rd when hampered and unseated rider 6th
Disappointing that just three turn up for this decent prize and it may be that DEE EE WILLIAMS has scared a few of them off. Nick Gifford's seven-year-old returns to chasing, where he previously made the frame once in three attempts, after a successful stint back over hurdles earlier in the year. He was much better than the other pair in that sphere and his trainer clearly has not given up hope that he can claim some decent prizes over fences. A clear round will make this classy performer tough to beat. On paper there is little to choose between Oddshoes and Quasar D'Oudairies, but the latter has always looked a chaser and might be able to win that particular argument.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Behind and off the pace, soon ridden along, ridden and headway from 3 out, chased leaders and every chance 2 out, 3rd and stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd.
Oddshoes (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led, jumped slightly right on occasions, headed approaching 5th, led after 2 out, headed flat, unable to quicken, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Nether Stream (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Quasar d'Oudairies (FR) 16-1 (10-4) Held up, hampered 5th, headway and ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Treaty Flyer (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep '09.
