tracked leaders, took keen hold, chased winner 2nd, not fluent 4th or 5th, every chance after 2 out, no impression flat
jumped right on occasions, always behind, tailed off
mistake 5th, always towards rear, tailed off
in rear, not always fluent, no chance 6th, jumped right last, tailed off
in touch in mid-division, took keen hold, headway when mistake 5th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off
tracked winner until 2nd, in touch until not fluent 6th, soon weakened, hit 3 out, tailed off
mistakes, mid-division, weakened after 6th
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake last
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, took keen hold, headway 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, not fluent and weakened next
made all, not fluent 6th, ridden after 2 out, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out
Mark Rimmer's Raptor is an interesting newcomer to hurdling having been rated as high as 102 on the flat at his best but the seven-year-old is going over hurdles late on his career so may be best watched in a race taken to go to POOL OF KNOWLEDGE, who gets the vote over Decision. Lawney Hill's gelding has earned a rating of 100 following some respectable efforts including when chasing home Quipe Me Posted in a handicap at Uttoxeter last month and he has to be respected. Apache Dawn has an identical rating to Decision and should appreciate the return to this grade having been well held in a handicap at Newton Abbot recently. Flying Squad ran better on his most recent start over timber but has disappointed back on the level since then and looks bet left out of calculations with a safer option appearing to be Pool Of Knowledge. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding has improved in each start since coming from France and looks the one to beat following a decent effort in a handicap at Newton Abbot earlier this month.
Carbon Print (USA) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, tailed off, 16th of 18, well behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Coach And Four (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Broke well, soon restrained in rear, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 11th of 14, 30l behind Bluejain (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jul '08 (flat).
Expensive Problem 25-1 (9-1) Pulled hard in rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 10l behind Speed Dating (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp 0-80 (4) pol (flat).
Flyford Prince 200-1 (10-9) Took keen hold in rear, struggling final 4f, tailed off, 11th of 13, 45l behind Rock On Ruby (11-9) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Flying Squad (UAE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up behind, smooth headway 3 out, joined leaders and every chance approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Mr Fantozzi (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, tailed off approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Coup Royale (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Raptor (GER) 14-1 (9-5) Mid-division, raced center over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 16, 7l behind Camerooney (8-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf (flat).
Soggy Dollar 80-1 (10-11) Mid-division, not fluent 1st or 6th, mistake 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, 48l behind Sahrati (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Decision 3-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden, edged left and headed approaching last, soon switched right, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Quipe Me Posted (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Motor Home 33-1 (8-9) Dwelt, keen in rear, headway on outer halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 9l behind Monashee Rock (9-2) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf (flat).
Mystic Touch 25-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 12, 15l behind Eye Of Eternity (8-3) at Lingfield 1m 1f hcp 0-55 (6) gf (flat).
Pool Of Knowledge (FR) 3-1fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 10l behind Battle Group (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Southway Star 100-1 (10-9) Led 3f, remained handy, weakened over 4f out, 14th of 18, 47l behind Eastern Paramour (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Dec '08.
Apache Dawn 5-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in touch, ridden after 3 out, outpaced approaching next, 5th of 6, 9l behind Vintage Fabric (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
