held up in touch, challenged after 4th, led next, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, soon held, mistake last
took keen hold, led until 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, pushed along 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, challenged after 3 out, led before 2 out, soon headed and no impression on winner
held up in rear, not fluent and pushed along after 4th, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily
pressed leader, every chance 3 out, weakened well before 2 out
BE ASHORED is getting the hang of the jumping game and his sure-footed efficiency can help him see off the challenges of Ajman and Society Venue. Others with claims at this level include: Navajo Nation, who has plenty of experience of this course and can pick up the pieces if the selection has an off day, while Kensington Oval is the type to find a race at some point but will never be a star pupil at Jonjo O'Neill's yard. A strong pace ought to assist Society Venue as he has been at his best when the time for thinking has been minimal. Top weight has to be a concern for the mount of Tom Scudamore, though. Ajman has failed to complete his last two starts, so there are grounds for concern before he has even faced the starting tapes. That said, he has a good record from those races he has managed to finish; so there is a positive side to his profile. However, Be Ashored has shown more straightforward characteristics in recent times and, given that he is may have been revitalised by his recent switch in yards; the five-year-old gets the nod as the one to be with on this occasion.
Ajman (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Boogie Dancer (10-8) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf, 11 ran.
Goose Green (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Chased clear leader, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed bend approaching 2 out, soon weakened and mistake 2 out, 5th of 8, 32l behind Don't Panic (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Kensington Oval 18-1 (11-4) Close up on outside, not fluent 4th, soon lost place, behind when jumped left 3 out, no danger after, 7th of 8, 25l behind Dereks (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Holden Caulfield (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Navajo Nation (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 6l behind Herschel (11-2) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Be Ashored 11-2 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway approaching 6th, chased winner soon after 3 out, ridden before next, no impression before last, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Optimum (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jul.
Bolanderi (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 4th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, 49l behind Rio Gael (11-4) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Society Venue 3-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, soon in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Sir Frank (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
