chased leaders, jumped big and right 2nd, jumped right and lost place 3rd, well behind 6th, tailed off
made virtually all, ridden approaching last, pushed out flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, beaten before 3 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, mistake and hampered 1st, jumped right 4th, headway when hit 7th, jumped right 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, took good hold, chased winner after 7th until 2 out, weakening when hit last
mid-division, jumped right and not fluent 5th, headway before next, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tendency to jump big and right, disputed lead with winner until after 7th, soon weakened, eased
always in rear, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 4th, weakened when jumped slowly 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, not fluent next, chased winner 2 out, hung left flat, no impression
CIVIL SERVANT went close last time and he can go one better here at the main expense of Alfie Spinner and Coeur de Fou. Nigel Twiston-Davies has been in decent form this month and Civil Servant can provide him with another winner. He chased home a decent yardstick in McMurdo Sound at Perth last month and although he has been a little frustrating to follow, this looks to be his best trip. Alfie Spinner is unexposed and he was entitled to need the run on his return to action at Stratford last month when he finished a close third behind Mumbles Pier on his hurdling debut. There should be more to come and if he can brush-up on his jumping then he should give our selection a race. Coeur de Fou shaped with a bit of promise last season but he was well beaten when last seen out at Chepstow in April and he will need to improve if he is make an impression on the principals on his seasonal bow. Warren Greatrex has taken over the job of salaried trainer to Malcolm Denmark and he will be keen to make a positive start to the campaign, so Hellfire Club is worth noting in the market on his return from a lengthy break. This race was won by the useful Diamond Harry last season, but today we take Civil Servant to get his head in front.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, kept on from last, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Mumbles Pier (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Civil Servant 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden approaching last, kept on to chase winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mcmurdo Sound (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sep.
Coeur De Fou (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, hit 3rd, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 34l behind Ffos Las Diamond (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Gratification 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 7f out, driven 6f out, soon outpaced, weakened 3f out, 8th of 10, well behind Hidden Keel (10-13) at Southwell 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Hellfire Club 10-3 (11-0) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage over 7f out, headed just inside 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 17l behind Wychwoods Legend (10-0) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gf in Sep '07.
Persian Gates (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Raced keenly in touch, chased winner 4f out until over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 17l behind Canyouseeme (11-2) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar.
Sandhills (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Behind and lost touch from 3 out, last of 8, well behind Doeslessthanme (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Young Buddy 25-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, well behind Flaygray (11-4) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf in Sep.
Bahreyna 40-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened 3f out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Ryde Back (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Playing With Fire (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened after 5th, 11th of 18, 49l behind Red Lancer (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
