held up, headway after 13th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd at the last, kept on
tracked leaders, pecked 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out
made virtually all, driven out
tracked winner, led briefly 10th, ridden after 13th, kept on to regain 2nd from last
took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 6th, outpaced 4 out
held up, hit 6th, headway 13th, ridden to challenge for 2nd approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
This looks a trappy affair and we will take a chance with Salinas, Or Apples's and Liberty Ben are the main dangers. The selection ran a blinder at Haydock last time out when the ground was desperate. He was under two lengths behind Ichi Beau on that occasion and we could see more improvement on this faster ground this afternoon. Liberty Ben put in a solid performance over course and distance last month and this lightly raced seven-year-old can get involved in the finish again this afternoon. Or Apples hasn't made much of an impression since moving from France but is with a top yard and it would be no surprise to see this one suddenly hit form. Carpet Ride at the bottom of the handicap cannot easily be discounted, but Salinas has the best overall profile and he gets our vote.
Salinas (GER) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 3rd, challenged when mistake 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Ichi Beau (10-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Manly Money 16-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 10th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 10, 41l behind Abragante (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Liberty Ben (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Led to 6th, not fluent 9th, ridden after 4 out, outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, every chance approaching last, ran on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 4, nk behind Alfie's Sun (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Or Apple's (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Led to 7th, ridden when not fluent 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Smoke Trail (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) frm in Apr.
Mr Splodge 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 12th, ridden before next, weakened 14th, 6th of 11, 41l behind Denvale (10-13) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Carpet Ride 9-1 (10-4) Pressed leader, led approaching 8th, headed 2 out, immediately outpaced by winner, lost 2nd flat, kept on, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Vinmix De Bessy (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
