held up last, headway and challenged 2 out, ridden and outpaced bend approaching last, led last, driven clear flat
led, ridden and headed approaching last, soon weakened
prominent, chased leader 6th, ridden and one pace after
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and every chance approaching last, blundered last, not recover
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and challenged after, every chance approaching last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out
chased leader, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened
always towards rear, no impression
chased leader, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out
An open contest where Lord Lington comes here in form, National Trust returns from a decent break and Grasp is very interesting and the vote goes to Lord Lington. The former Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is in cracking nick at present and tries to complete a hat-trick here. He has gone up a stone for his latest Newton Abbot success but handles the ground well and was a very easy scorer that day. He goes well fresh and so if he is ever to defy a stone rise then today looks the day. Tony McCoy is booked for Grasp and that may make his price a bit skinny for what little he has achieved on the racecourse and his task does not look easy back ion handicaps. National Trust won a Stratford maiden in March and is another to have gone up a stone, so after a long enough break he might struggle to defy that here. Critical Stage was thrashed over this c&d last time and has a bit to prove and Roby De Cimbre needs taking more seriously after a decent run here last time. Both he and Templer are very much respected, but with nothing looking to be obviously well-handicapped here we will side with the in-form Lord Lington.
Hill Forts Timmy 9-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, 30l behind Arafan (9-11) at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Lord Lington (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 3rd, drew clear from last, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Aug beating Salinas (10-11) by 7l, 14 ran.
Templer (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, ridden approaching 4 out, hard ridden flat, headed close home, 3rd of 6, nk behind Sarin (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
National Trust 7-4fav (11-1) Held up in touch, made progress to lead after 3 out, ridden, ran on well flat, won at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Spirit of Man (11-4) by 2l, 14 ran.
Roby De Cimbre (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway from 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Mickmacmagoole (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Take A Mile (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) In touch, not fluent 5th, hit 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 9, 7l behind Cantabilly (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Compton Star (9-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Critical Stage (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 13, 14l behind Mickmacmagoole (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Grasp 10-3 (11-5) Chased leaders, led approaching last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (5) gf in Jun beating Chunky Lad (10-5) by 3l, 8 ran.
Oxybau (FR) 40-1 (10-4) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov, 16 ran.
Quasimodo (GB) 4-1 (10-0) Ridden 5th and some progress, weakened approaching 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Monticelli (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
