pulled early towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, headway and chased leader 3 out, challenged to lead approaching last, mistake last, hung badly left and headed after, not recover
in touch, ridden and chased leaders 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on flat
always behind, no impression
in touch, headway to chase leader 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace from 2 out
towards rear, reminder after 6th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, challenged last, soon led, driven out
led to 3rd, ridden after 5th, weakened 7th
held up, ridden and headway from 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden after 5th, weakened 8th
Entries suggested that high hopes were held for Nike Walker this season but he's shown next to nothing so has to be taken on with the in-form South Bank. Patience was wearing a little thin with the selection but he got everything right at Huntingdon last time and, now that he's got his head in front, should be capable of going in again. He's only 4lbs higher and should have a future ahead of him. As well as having his form to prove, Nike Walker also has to prove that he can see out a trip and couldn't be confidently put forwards. A move for handicap debutant Elton would be of interest as breeding suggests that he should improve for this stiffer test whilst Hill Forts Henry has been in good form in selling company of late so has to enter calculations. This has an open look to it but there should be more to come from South Bank and he's fancied to go close.
Nike Walker (FR) 15-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 40l behind Stradbrook (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
South Bank (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) In touch, outpaced after 3 out, headway 2 out, challenging when left in lead last, driven out flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar beating Heez A Steel (11-3) by a nk, 7 ran.
Thats Confidential (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, hit 3rd, not fluent next, struggling 5th, 10th of 16, 49l behind Quasar d'Oudairies (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Kosmos Bleu (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Malaga Boy (10-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan '07.
King Cyrus (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 20l behind Boing Boing (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Elton 50-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, some headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 16, 25l behind Chantaco (11-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
First De La Brunie (FR) 11-2 (10-6) Chased leaders until dropped rear 7th, never able to get back on terms, 6th of 10, 28l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Mistified (IRE) 3-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out but always held, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Quarrymount (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
