led and set good pace, ridden 3 out, headed and jumped right 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden 4 out, headway 2 out, chased winner and hung right approaching last and again flat
held up, mistake 7th, headway approaching 4 out, one pace
held up and keen, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on, not reach leaders
tracked leaders, joined leader 6 out, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden out
The Bandit, Rosses Point and Lorient Express are the three for the shortlist here, with The Bandit taken to maintain his winning form. Rosses Point ran up a hat trick of wins last year but went up the handicap as a result. His recent efforts have been disappointing but they have been in classy affairs, so this drop in class may prove beneficial. Lorient Express has been without a win over the bigger obstacles for seventeen months, and his recent efforts have been lacklustre. He has been dropped a few pounds, but may need to come down the ratings further to pick up the winning thread. The Bandit needs a test of stamina to be seen at his best, and this trip may be on the short side. He has also gone up the handicap for a win at Wincanton last time. However, with his rivals seemingly out of form and not well handicapped either, a chance is taken that the cheekpieces, which worked well last time, can work the oracle again, and The Bandit gets the vote.
The Bandit (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Led, hit 2nd, went clear 10th, ridden 4 out, blundered badly 2 out, soon headed, switched left and rallied flat, ran on gamely to lead post, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr beating It Takes Time (11-12) by a shd, 6 ran.
Mr Ed (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 9th, never dangerous, 7th of 17, 14l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Lorient Express (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Led and set good pace, mistake 12th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 39l behind East Tycoon (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Rosses Point (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Behind, ridden 14th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Dream Alliance (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Apr, 15 ran.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden 16th, chased leader 17th, 3rd and held when fell 2 out in race won by Maletton (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Free Gift 9-2 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 7, 16l behind Quirino (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Rakalackey 11-4fav (10-7) Chased leader, hampered 11th, ridden after 15th, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 7, 8l behind Inaro (10-3) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs (3) gd in Mar.
