led, narrow leader when ran out 3 out
held up in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 4 out, left close 2nd next, chance last, hung right and one pace flat
held up, headway 4 out, ridden next, soon beaten
held up in touch, not fluent 4 out, ridden and one pace from next
tracked leader, left in lead 3 out, mistake next, ridden out
held up in rear, pushed along 3 out, ridden and no impression from the next
The main question here is how fit Athenian Law will be after an absence of 16 months. A winner of a bumper at Hereford, Philip Hobbs' gelding bolted up on his only start over hurdles, at Market Rasen, and appears to have been leniently assessed by the handicapper, although he has clearly had some problems since then. Edmo Heights has been in good form for most of this season, and was not disgraced when fourth in a better race than this at Aintree last time, so is expected once again to give a good account. However, he is now four pounds worse off with Property Zone for having finished two lengths behind him at Wetherby last month and Chris Grant's gelding, who had earlier won nicely at Doncaster, is fancied to score here. Tony Martin's Soundz of Music is not very easy to assess, and although his horses have to be respected when making the journey over from Ireland, the fact that he is four pounds out of the handicap means that Property Zone is preferred.
