took keen hold, not always fluent and went left, made all, clear 4 out, unchallenged
chased leaders, went left and badly at times, awkward 1st, struggling to keep up 3rd, closed 4 out, went 2nd next, no chance with winner, stayed on
chased winner, awkward 1st, ridden after 9th, no impression 4 out, weakened next
behind, closed 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no chance with winner, stayed on
Zama Zama has gone backwards since completing a double at Stratford in July and is thoroughly exposed. He's also 5lb out of the handicap proper so others are preferred. Lyric Street found Ittirad too good on his chasing bow at Worcester but there was no disgrace in that. Murrayana won his last two over hurdles in the spring but drops in distance on ground that will be softer than ideal. ARZAL can race off a 7lb lower mark than over hurdles and has the class to take this if his jumping is up to scratch.
Arzal (FR) 13-2fav (10-9) Pressed leader, not fluent 4th, led next, headed 4 out, lost place 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 16, 14 3/4l behind War Sound (10-13) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gs in May.
Murrayana (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leader until after 2nd, in touch, pushed along and challenged 3 out, hit 2 out, led last, soon headed, led again inside final 100 yards, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Apr beating Keshi Pearl (11-7) by hd, 6 ran.
Lyric Street (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Led, jumped right early, not fluent 2 out, headed when mistake last, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Ittirad (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gf in Sep.
Zama Zama 7-1 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, lost 3rd and mistake 9th, dropped to rear, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Cut The Corner (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
