led, headed approaching 8th, ridden 3 out, no extra when lost 3rd flat
prominent, led 3 out, kept on from last, driven out
with leader, led approaching 8th, headed 3 out, looking held in 2nd when blundered 2 out
held up, hit 8th, weakened from 10th
held up in rear, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up, when 4th approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to take 3rd flat, no impression
tracked leaders, behind and weakened from 5 out
BANNISTER LANE has plenty in his favour and is preferred to Hockenheim and Double The Trouble in what looks a winnable race. Despite having to shoulder top-weight, the selection has plenty in his favour today. This son of Overbury stays extremely well, and he also has plenty of form in very testing conditions. His latest win came at Sandown in February showing that right-handed courses hold no fears (first win going that way round) and with a good conditional taking weight off his back he is expected to take all the beating. Nirvana Swing looks a player despite a 3lb rise in the weights for his latest run at Kelso, whilst Hockenheim won in the mud at Carlisle when last seen and he was steadily progressive as a novice. This is a tougher ask but he is open to plenty of improvement. Double The Trouble will come on significantly for a recent Stratford run and he has bits and pieces of form on softer ground to suggest that he can run a better race this afternoon. Livingonaknifedge has held his form well since coming back from his summer break and along with the potentially well-treated Hermano Cordobes he rates a threat. Samsbro has a bit to prove having been pulled up on his final start for Vic Dartnall, however it must be added that there were 11 more horses pulled up in that race, and so he needs respect on his first start for John Quinn. This looks a good opportunity for Bannister Lane to record a seventh career success.
Bannister Lane 14-1 (11-11) Led, blundered 9th, headed next, weakened from 12th, 9th of 11, 49l behind Antonius Caesar (11-5) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden approaching last, rallied flat, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Hockenheim (FR) 4-11fav (11-0) Made all, hit 11th, stayed on well readily, won at Carlisle 2m 5f beg chase (4) hvy in Mar beating Pass The Class (10-11) by 4l, 6 ran.
Double The Trouble 7-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, outpaced 4 out, last of 6, well behind Overclear (11-9) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 11, nk behind Newman Des Plages (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Samsbro (IRE) 5-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 17th, behind when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Laertes (11-6) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader, lost place 12th, took poor 3rd again 3 out, mistake 2 out, 3rd of 6, 41l behind Present Glory (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
