raced keen in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, effort next, one pace approaching last
made most 4 out, ridden and close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider next
behind from halfway
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
close up, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and weakened after next
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed towards finish, no extra
towards rear, outpaced when blundered 4 out, no danger after
close up, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on to regain lead close home
tracked leaders, headway and effort 3 out, no extra approaching last
Not the easiest start for punters here with the big imponderable being the ground, which could be bottomless, and we will side with Only Words, who is the only one to have proven form on that type of surface so far. The selection also scored over course and distance last time out with cut in the ground, and a 9lb rise for that success is by no means lenient. However, the seven-year-old has plenty of experience and has gone close enough without winning on soft and heavy ground in the past and looks the safest option here. In contrast to the selection, Rival Bidder has been dropped 2lb since his last outing, when he ran no sort of race over course and distance on good to soft. All his decent form has been on fast ground, and even though that type of horse can often go well when the going is bottomless, he is overlooked here. Reno has been showing consistent form in defeat on four hurdling starts so far, twice being defeated by just a head, including last time when behind Penalty Clause at Doncaster. Although he can act with cut, he does seem more at home on a sound surface and might just get bogged down in the mud here. Of the remainder Cook O'Hawick looks as though this softer ground will suit and could make the frame, but for the selection we return to Only Words.
