mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leader after 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led 4th to 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hampered 6th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden behind 3 out, one pace
chased leader, led and mistake 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, driven clear from last
held up towards rear, ridden and headway from 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up last, headway on bit approaching 2 out, shaken up and went 2nd approaching last, never on terms
led to 4th, ridden 6th, stayed on to go 3rd after last
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard, prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Four for the short list here are the Hobbs pair of Gallant Hero and Olimpo, plus Hatch A Plan and Let's Celebrate, and we take Gallant Hero to get his nose in front. The selection has some pretty decent form to his name from earlier in his career on the level, and although slightly disappointing on his first two starts back after a lengthy absence, he has not been knocked about in defeat. Trip and ground suit and if he can run up to anything like his best he should have a bit more class than these. Let's Celebrate has been unlucky in going up in the weights despite finishing runner up, but he has conditions and trip to suit here, but is perhaps too high to do anything but make the frame again. Olimpo is another with conditions to suit. He looks capable of picking up a small race or two, though his last run was a bit disappointing, while Hatch A Plan put in a good performance behind Phar From Phavourite last time, and a good run from Kentucky King earlier on the card would certainly boost his already sound credentials. He should give the selection most to do, but we will give Gallant Hero one more chance to show us his mettle.
Gallant Hero 6-4fav (10-12) Led, jumped slowly 4th, mistake and headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and eased after 2 out, 9th of 12, 41l behind United Spirit (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Hatch A Plan (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 5th, chased winner from 2 out, ridden when hit last, ran on flat, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Phar Out Phavorite (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf.
Valley Ger (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th 6 out, ridden and weakened from next, 8th of 14, 42l behind Irish Blade (11-2) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 60-88 gf in Jul.
Idle Journey (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Held up, in rear, headway 5th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 28l behind Rare Coincidence (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Top Trees 13-2 (10-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 9th of 15, 14l behind Senna da Silva (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Oct '04.
Let's Celebrate 14-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 6th, every chance last, not quicken, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Harry Potter (11-3) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (G) gf.
Rojabaa 16-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 18, 9l behind The Hairy Lemon (10-13) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd.
Olimpo (FR) 7-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 12th of 14, 25l behind Nanga Parbat (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
