chased leading pair until outpaced 6th, dropped to rear when misake and pecked 8th, struggling after 9th, tailed off
held up in last pair, headway into 3rd 9th, trying to close on runner up, no chance with winner when pecked 2 out, one pace and well held after
held up in last pair, headway to modest 4th 4 out
chased winner throughout, blundered 6th, ridden and no impression soon after 3 out, kept on to hold 2nd
pulled hard, held up in rear, blundered 1st, pulled way up to chase leading trio before 3rd, hit 7th, lost place 9th, soon behind, tailed off
Nonrunner
RAY MOND can land the spoils with Maxwil and Ouragan Lagrange the dangers. The selection has been in rude health of late with four victories on the spin. Granted, this is the highest handicap mark he has tried to win off but he is in form when others are not. Maxwil was a fair horse on the flat. He has claims if the absence has reawakened his enthusiasm for the task. Ouragan Lagrange has dropped massively down the weights and Andrew Glassonbury's 3lb will come in handy. Shanahan is a quirkly individual though has the services of Peter Toole in the plate. Nation State may have needed his first run since absence. Ray Mond is still in the winning habit and we are hopeful of more again today.
Nation State 22-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, rallied and headway 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 17l behind Holmwood Legend (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Maxwil 3-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 42l behind Tobago Bay (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '09.
Ray Mond Evensfav (10-6) Made all, jumped right 8th, clear when pecked last, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Rash Moment (10-0) by 7l, 5 ran.
Shanahan (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no response, 6th of 10, 24l behind Sula's Legend (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Mister Wiseman 9-2 (11-0) Always behind, struggling 10th, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind Josear (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Finnish Melody 28-1 (9-13) Took keen hold in rear, not fluent 1st, reminders after 7th, not fluent and weakened 8th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Tooka (11-2) at Leicester 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Always behind, pushed along 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Prince Louis (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
