held up, headway and close up after 7th, blundered 10th and soon lost touch, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, tracked leader from 4th, led soon after 3 out, stayed on well
always tailed off
close up until blundered and dropped to rear 11th, continued tailed off
close up until blundered and lost place 6th, outpaced after, plodded on from 16th
blundered 1st and 2nd, never going well in rear after, pulled up after 9th
held up, headway to track leaders from 9th, chased winner soon after 2 out, kept on running, but no impression near finish
led to 3rd, stayed prominent, led 4 out, to soon after next, stayed pressing winner, until weakened soon after 2 out
always struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
led 3rd, mistake 15th, headed 4 out, weakened soon after next
close up, ridden 9th, blundered and weakened 11th, pulled up after 15th
Toulouse-Lautrec has an obvious chance on the evidence of his recent second to Buzybakson and is taken to go one better at the main expense of Apple Joe and Commanche Jim. The last mentioned represents the in form stable of Robert Alner and has slipped to a fair mark but needs to step up on previous form to trouble the judge. Secret Drinker has shown promise in both starts this term and is another consider along with top weight Skycab, although the burden of 11st 12lb may be beyond the Nick Gifford-trained gelding. Brendan Powell could hardly have his string in better form than at present so Miners Dance has to be respected along with Dun Locha Castle, despite the latter being 4lbs out of the weights proper. A bigger threat is likely to come from Apple Joe, who is closely matched on these terms with Dun Locha Castle on running here last time but the vote goes to Toulouse-Lautrec. Tom George's gelding showed his best form over fences when second at Market Rasen last time and a reproduction of that effort may suffice.
