soon tracking leaders, 3rd and driven after 3 out, tailed off
soon struggling in rear, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 4 out, in command after next, easily
chased leaders, reminder after 7th, went 2nd under pressure 3 out, never any chance with easy winner
led, driven along 6th, headed 4 out, chased winner to next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
jumped right at several fences, took keen hold, in touch, mistake 4th, ridden 7th, lost touch next, tailed off
chased leaders, reminders 5th, weakened and lost place when blundered and unseated rider 8th
jumped right, well off the pace in 7th, lost touch next, tailed off
jumped right, behind from 3rd, never travelling after, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Maclean is interesting and Kinkeel consistent but CUSP is the pick. We'll overlook the claims of Lord Gunnerslake who had run thirty one races over fences prior to his success at Fontwell and it's probably worth taking the chance that he won't be able to follow up. Maclean is a quirky individual who hasn't deigned to win a race since 2005; in fairness, he's been off the track since December '06 but Maclean has never been one to rely on when the chips are down. Kinkeel can get in the shake-up but we'll side with Cusp who scored for this rider from a 2lb higher mark back in February. He's not the easiest to predict and may ideally prefer a little ease in the ground but Cusp is capable of going close.
Maclean 8-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 10th, headway to go 3rd 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Nemetan (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec '06.
Cellarmaster (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Soon struggling in rear, badly hampered 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Ton-Chee (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Glengarra (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Pressed leader, not fluent 2nd, led and mistake 6th, headed approaching 4 out, chased leaders after until weakened and mistake 2 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Kinkeel (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12th to 4 out, 3rd when hit 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Dizzy Future (10-12) at Taunton 2m 7f nov stks (4) fm.
Irish Stream (USA) 11-2 (11-0) Led, headed after 2nd, mistake 5 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 10l behind Lord Gunnerslake (9-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Lanos (POL) 50-1 (9-11) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, mistake last, 7th of 15, 25l behind Yellow Flag (10-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.
Delightful Touch (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Led, headed 4th, weakened 8th, 10th of 14, 49l behind Spanish Cruise (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Huck Finn (NZ) 20-1 (10-5) In touch, hit 5th, struggling after, tailed off, 9th of 18, well behind Cross Kennon (10-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-85 (5) hvy in Mar.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Tracked leader, driven 4 out, joined leading pair at 3 out, led last, 4 out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar beating Wild Power (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Cusp 9-2 (10-4) Held up in 3rd, chased winner 10th, challenging when jumped right 3 out, soon ridden and relegated to 3rd, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Milton Des Bieffes (10-8) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Mar.
The Little Chancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Prominent, made most from 4th to 10th, weakened, mistake next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Sula's Legend (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
