held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 4 out, chased winner 3 out, switched right before 2 out, shaken up approaching last, no impression
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 8th, chased winner 4 out until 3 out, weakened last
led to 3rd, lost place when mistake and reminders 5th, struggling 7th, no chance from 9th
prominent, chased winner approaching 4th until 4 out, soon beaten, weakened approaching 3 out
with leader, led 3rd, ridden out flat
LAHARNA is arguably high enough in the weights but the opposition here is hardly stellar and he is preferred to Gus. Lucy Wadham's gelding has had a decent season considering his jumping has not always been the most fluent. There is a question mark over this quick ground but he looks sure to appreciate this easier company and is nominated accordingly. Gus is dropped in trip as Chris Bealby's gelding is sent in pursuit of his first win since September 2007 where he broke his maiden tag at Market Rasen. He won't mind the quick ground and is not one to take too lightly. That comment also applies to top-weight Pilca who is now in the care of Malcolm Jefferson. The gelding has had a few homes but he does have some ability and his handicap mark continues to edge down. Toulouse Express has shown his best form on soft ground so it would be a surprise were he to prevail under these conditions and so it is Laharna that we return to as the selection.
Pilca (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 7th, ridden and behind from 3 out, 4th of 12, 21l behind Ingratitude (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) gf.
Tech Eagle (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 15l behind Galaxy Rock (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Laharna 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression on front pair between last 2, 3rd of 11, 8l behind One of The Boys (10-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd.
Gus 8-1 (10-11) Made most until headed 2 out, soon weakened, left poor 2nd last, 2nd of 12, 21l behind Leopold (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 34l behind Royal Hilarity (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 80-1 (11-1) Prominent, weakening when jumped left 6th, tailed off, 6th of 7, 40l behind William Bonney (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nov stks (3) gd.
