took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, 3rd soon after and ridden, no chance with leading duo, weakened and lost two places towards finish
always towards rear, never involved
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, went left and weakened 3 out
jumped left, led until jumped left and headed 2 out, chased winner, went left again and hung left in behind winner run-in, always held
always towards rear, never involved
held up towards rear, steady headway from after 3 out, ridden between last two, kept on from last, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with front pair
held up in rear, steady headway after 4th, chased leading trio after 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on run-in went 4th close home, no chance with front pair
chased leader, led 2 out, went left last, kept on well run-in, ridden out
mid-division, behind from 4th, tailed off next, pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along before 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden and weakened soon after
always towards rear, never a factor
Sky Lino was placed a couple of times last autumn but his form rather tailed off later. Excellent Team travelled best for much of the way last time at Stratford but again failed to find much when push came to shove, though Harry Skelton is back in the saddle today. Lostock Hall wasn't entirely disgraced on his hurdles bow at Market Rasen so is worth considering but it's a couple of newcomers who catch the eye. Barwick is a decent sort on the Flat and won at Epsom in April but he's going jumping late in life so we'll give a tentative vote to TAPER TANTRUM, who should enjoy the fast ground and the sharp track having had the speed to win twice up to a mile.
Barwick 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 16th of 17, 22l behind Tawdeea (9-3) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Buz Barton (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, badly hampered and brought down 2nd, at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Time And Again (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 4th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 33 1/4l behind Paolozzi (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Destiny's Shadow (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) 9th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Supa Seeker (10-7) at Les Landes 1m hcp in Apr.
Excellent Team 9-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd on home bend, challenged last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind My Mo (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Fraser Canyon 100-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Feb.
Lostock Hall (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, 4th before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 4th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Birch Hill (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Sky Lino (FR) 9-2fav (11-0) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Taweyla (11-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Taper Tantrum (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Led 2f, settled 3rd 7f out, came centre 4f out, went alone to far side over 3f out, well on terms, chased winner final 2f, driven and held when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Prendergast Hill (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Avithos 66-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, stumbled and fell 2nd, at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Kokomo 100-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, well behind 6th, 6th of 8, dist behind Whatsthatallabout (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Prettylittlething (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leader, mistake 1st, lost 2nd 5th, weakened before next, 7th of 8, dist behind Whatsthatallabout (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
