chased leaders, hit 3rd, not fluent 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, 1 length down last, kept on
led, not fluent 2nd, headed 6th, weakened quickly next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until weakened after 7th, soon behind, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, ridden out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on without troubling leaders
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
prominent, led 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, disputing 4th when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
Nonrunner
The ability to see out the trip is a key factor in this moderate handicap and with that in mind a chance is taken on OENOLOGUE, who is a sporting suggestion to get the better of I'm A Legend and Kayf Keel. Each-way support for recent course winner Triple Bluff would also be noteworthy, as the five-year-old won easily here a fortnight ago and, as this step up in distance is unlikely to phase his confidence, he holds a solid chance of taking home a chunk of the prize-money on offer for a place. Kayf Keel readily had the measure of I'm A Legend when they met at Warwick earlier this month, so she is entitled to be on the shortlist. A relative of the legendary Relkeel, the Richard Phillips-trained mare could easily have the class to cope with the today's extra three furlongs. But, as she wouldn't want the ground to be too soft, her 10lb higher mark leaves her with a much stiffer test this afternoon. I'm A Legend improved when his stamina was scrutinised at Wincanton last week and, as he is obviously well treated (he is already due for a hefty rise in the ratings) the Neil Mullholland-trained gelding is likely to be very popular in the betting market. Quite whether he really merits such attentions is debatable, though, as he still needs to improve again to brush aside his 7lb penalty. Therefore, Oenologue is recommended as the more adventurous investment. Alison Thorpe's French-bred ran a blinder over course and distance a fortnight ago and, but for a slight mistake at the last flight, he may have been arriving today with a deserved win under his belt. Still, as he is in the minority as a proven stayer, Oenologue has every chance of gaining compensation in this company.
Crofters Lad (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Made all, blundered 4 out, ridden next, hit last, kept on under strong pressure, won at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan beating O'Sogood (11-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, ridden after 6th, behind after next, 11th of 12, 46l behind Character Building (11-12) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Ruby Dante (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Tracked leader until weakened 6th, soon pulled up at the last in race won by Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept '07, 18 ran.
Brize Norton (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Close up, ridden approaching 5th, tailed off from 7th, 13th of 16, well behind Charles Street (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Sangfroid 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, jumped left 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Triple Bluff (9-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Oenologue (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Towards rear, headway after 6th, chased leader 3 out, ridden and led approaching 2 out, hit last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Kerayasi (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Started slowly, held up, headway after 6th, hit next, soon weakened and mistake last, 6th of 12, 28l behind Wendel (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Kayf Keel 14-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, mistake 1st, headway approaching 2 out, led last, ridden flat, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs beating Golden Square (10-2) by 5l, 16 ran.
I'm A Legend 3-1 (11-6) Raced wide throughout, held up, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Le Millenaire (10-8) by 12l, 10 ran.
Archie Gunn 12-1 (11-12) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Young Tot (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Very Green (FR) 5-2 (11-11) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and lost place from before 2 out where dropped to 4th, soon left 3rd and no extra, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hdl gf in Jun '07.
Miss Ceka (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Towards rear, ridden and effort when not fluent 3 out, one pace after, left 4th last, 5th of 11, 42l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Celticello (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Triple Bluff 11-1 (9-13) Held up, steady headway from 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, soon led, driven out and drifted left flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Nothing Is Forever (11-10) by 4l, 14 ran.
Sashenka 20-1 (11-12) Led, hit 7th, headed after next, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 15, 43l behind Old Brigade (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
