in touch, mistake 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
led, headed 4th, tracked leader, ridden 6th, led again 2 out, driven and headed last, one pace and lost 2nd post
always in rear, awkward 5th, ridden next, behind before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden 7th, kept on never nearer
held up, mistake 1st, headway to track leaders 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace
prominent, led 4th, mistake 6th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden next, weakened last
always close up, ridden 2 out, led last, ran on
held up, headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd post
An open race featuring some disappointing sorts so it may be worth taking a chance with LORD CREWE ahead of recent winners Timetoring and Campfire Tales. Cases of sorts can be made for the majority of the runners and the likes of Captain Marlon, Alldunnandusted, Local Present, Gunnasayso and Tarabela all come under consideration but, in truth, not many can be dismissed with confidence. Timetoring made an impressive start for this yard in a Chepstow seller and is due to race from a 12lb higher mark in the future so is thrown in under his penalty. He would make some appeal at the right price with the longer trip unlikely to hold any fears but it's not difficult to pick holes in the form and he could be too short. Campfire Tales also comes here on the back of a win in plating company but that was over two miles and he has more to prove over this extended trip and he could struggle to confirm the form with Captain Marlon. Lord Crewe hasn't shown a great deal since landing an all-weather bumper and there was little encouragement to be taken from his reappearance at Warwick where he was far from fluent. However, his yard's runners at this track always merit respect and the longer trip may give him more time to organise himself. He's also entitled to come on for his seasonal return and Lord Crewe could post an improved performance in a modest affair.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon challenging, no extra from last, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Campfire Tales (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Beat The System 16-1 (10-3) Chasing leaders when hit 2nd, ridden 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Zarrafakt (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Local Present (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Held up, weakened 3 out, 9th of 16, well behind Wise Men Say (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Lord Crewe (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Mistake 2nd, always towards rear, 6th of 11, 39l behind Golden Square (9-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Alldunnandusted (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Raced wide, held up in touch, steady headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, ridden to narrow lead 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Callerlilly (11-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Lady Bling Bling 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden next, weakened before last, 5th of 17, 11l behind Otarie (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (3) gs in Apr '08.
Campfire Tales (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Awkward jumping off, led 1st, made virtually all after, joined and pressed from last, pushed along to assert final 100 yards, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov beating Smokincanon (10-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Tarabela 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and hit 5th, headway and just about in touch approaching 3 out, hit next, one pace and no impression before last, 4th of 9, 9l behind Callerlilly (11-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Timetoring 66-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led 4th, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy in Nov beating Devito (10-5) by 12l, 10 ran.
Gunnasayso 25-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on to go moderate 3rd after last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Manjam (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, badly hampered 1st, steady headway after 7th, chased leader after next, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, unable to quicken flat, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Raise You Five (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Delcombe 150-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon tailed off, last of 13, well behind My Friend Sandy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
The Pious Prince (IRE) 5-4fav (10-0) Held up and jumped left throughout, reminders 11th, soon ridden and lost touch, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Fourpointone (11-8) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm in Mar, 6 ran.
