dwelt, soon tracked leader, headway to challenge 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead narrowly inside final furlong, all out
held up in rear, driven and effort on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, lost place over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
in touch, ridden to chase leading pair over 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression with leading pair
led, jinked after 1f, driven and hard pressed 2f out, soon ridden, headed narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on until no extra towards finish
raced keenly, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to reach leaders
held up behind, driven and outpaced 3f out, never on terms
It would be dangerous to dismiss the claims of Takween in this seller, but preference is for the ultra-consistent FREMEN to win again, while Liberty Trail could finish closer than of late. The last-named looks the pick of the pair of Noel Wilson-trained runners in the contest, and is interesting now dropped into this grade for the first time. He acts well on a sound surface, and the dam's side of his pedigree suggests that this step-up in trip might enable him to show more than over 6-7f of late, so he is respected. Takween won a 10f Navan contest two years ago but has been seen only twice since. Both those races were over hurdles for current handler Howard Johnson, and they saw him finish well beaten. If his trainer has managed to get him right again then at these weights he would have a very good chance. Rowan Lodge stays this trip well and acts on the ground, while he often goes well at this time of year and he has claims, but we prefer those of Fremen. Dandy Nicholls has placed him to win six of his last seven starts, and he goes on most ground. This is very much his level, and with four course successes already to his name we will take him to add another today.
Fremen (USA) 4-6fav (9-7) Led until 6f out, tracked leader, led again over 2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, found extra and kept on gamely near finish, won at Ffos Las 1m clm stks (6) gf beating Landucci (9-5) by nk, 6 ran.
Agricultural 100-1 (8-11) Towards rear, some headway over 2f out, never in contention, 9th of 14, 12l behind Shekan Star (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Catcher Of Dreams (IRE) 100-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 13, 44l behind Fujin Dancer (9-2) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Joinedupwriting 14-1 (8-9) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, 8th of 11, 18l behind Moheebb (10-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Liberty Trail (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 14, 17l behind Ezdeyaad (8-12) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-10) at Beverley 1m sell stks (5) gd in Apr.
Takween (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outer, 5th and headway early straight, challenged under 2f out, led under 1f out, stayed on well, won at Navan 1m 2f mdn stks gs in Apr '08 beating Almolahek (9-0) by 1l, 20 ran.
Bold Diktator 33-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, last of 13, 43l behind Alqaahir (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Red Skipper (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Led, joined 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Shekan Star (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
