always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 11th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd approaching 14th, ridden when hit 4 out, kept on one pace
in touch, lost place 6th, headway 10th, weakened 14th
prominent, stumbled 9th, soon lost place, weakened 13th
always behind, tailed off 11th
mid-division, headway 4th, weakened after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
always towards rear, tailed off 11th
made all, mistake 12th, hit 13th, soon ridden, clear when mistake last, all out
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 9th to 14th, weakened flat
A tricky handicap chase where Brave Spirit is forwarded as a speculative choice to finally come good. Harem Scarem and Just Strong have race fitness on their side and have to be considered as dangers, while Indian Laburnum is another to monitor for signs of each way support. The long absence does temper the confidence for the last mentioned though and he may just need this to put him straight. Just Strong has already been on the go since March and has not executed any of the chances he has been presented with. He will need a few of the rest to be short of the mark if he is to win a race for the first time in a year. Harem Scarem has a habit of hitting the post in handicaps and is also a risky proposition for win only purposes. So we switch our attention to Brave Spirit, who shaped as if he was really getting his act together over fences when he was last seen out. Colin Tizzard is sure to have kept him up to his work at home during the last couple of months, so, with his yard in decent form at present, this could finally be the day that Brave Spirit rids himself of the maiden tag.
