held up in touch, not much room after 9th, ridden, outpaced 4 out, rallied to go 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner
mid-division when blundered and fell 2nd
held up, headway and in touch 10th, led 4 out, quickened clear last, comfortably
prominent, joined leader 10th, led briefly before 4 out, hit next, ridden and weakened 2 out
led, edged left after 9th, headed before 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, hampered after 9th, lost place next, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up next
held up, short lived effort approaching 4 out, soon weakened
soon detatched in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
It could pay to take a chance on TAKE THE STAND; the list of dangers is headed by I See A Star and Nadover. The selection is a 14-year-old now but he is admirably consistent and he would have a big chance if he could reproduce his effort in a hunters' chase at Hexham back in June. His race fitness has to be taken on trust but he has gone well fresh in the past and he looks to have a sound chance. At the other end of the spectrum is I See A Star as he is unexposed and he could have a decent future in this sphere. He has been off the track since March so the market may be a guide to his chance, but he is certainly a leading player. Nadover is having his first run for nearly a year but he ran a sound race that day at Haydock and he has bags of stamina so he should run his race with conditions to suit. Robbers Glen ran well behind our selection at Stratford back in May and he is another to consider. However, in an open event the vote is given to Take The Stand.
Alright Now M'Lad (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Jumped slowly 10th, always towards rear, 15th of 24, well behind Character Building (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Dix Villez (FR) 2-1 (12-5) Ap; led 13 til hdd cl home, won at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Dec deadheating with Lord Who (12-5), 11 ran.
Robbers Glen (IRE) 10-11 (11-0) Led 5-7 & 13 til hdd last; no ex flat, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Robin De Sherwood (11-0) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Take The Stand (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 17, 18l behind Fire And Rain (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
I See A Star 15-8fav (11-5) Led and mistakes, headed 12th, lost place after 4 out, rallied after next, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Shanteen Lass (10-12) by nk, 12 ran.
Mister Bertolli (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Outpcd 18; wl bhnd when pu 4 out, in a race won by Teeton Bollinger (12-0) at Dingley 4m ptp gs in May, 12 ran.
Nadover (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 5 out, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 16, 14l behind Rambling Minster (11-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb '09.
Optimistic Harry 6-1 (12-0) Held up; went 2nd app 3 out; wknd & dem nr fin, 3rd of 17, 17l behind Sonevafushi (12-0) at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp in Jan '09.
