held up last, headway 6th and chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace from last
led to 3rd, led 4th, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and hung left bend after 3 out, soon pulled up
pulled early and held up in mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and challenged approaching 2 out, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, hung left under pressure flat and ran on well
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden and challenged after 2 out, every chance last, ran on but not pace of winner
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
chased leader, ridden 8th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 6th weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader on outside, led 3rd to 4th, jumped slowly 7th and lost touch, pulled up before 3 out.
Nonrunner
This could well rest between point-to-point winners Denman and Alphabetical and preference is for the former with Miss Merenda rated the best of the remainder. The selection is difficult to evaluate after just the one public start but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding won that nicely enough and, if fit enough, should be too good for his rivals. Alphabetical has progressed the right way between the flags and Charlie Mann has had a couple of winners recently so he has to be respected. Lyes Green was well beaten on his hurdling debut and may do better with that run under his belt but is difficult to recommend with any confidence, while Mister Zaffaran had little chance behind the useful chaser Harry's Dream in a small field at Worcester last time but had shown promise in bumpers previously and cannot be discounted. Offalevel hails from a stable in form and is another to consider along with Fontwell winner Miss Merenda but Denman has solid claims and gets the vote.
Alphabetical (IRE) 6th of 12, 28l behind Uradodo at Killeady 3m ptp sft in Apr '04.
Denman (IRE) (12-0) won at Liscarroll 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Just Naturally (12-0) by 12l, 17 ran.
Lyes Green 40-1 (10-12) Held up last, virtually fell 7th, behind after, 8th of 11, well behind Flotta (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
Miss Merenda 16-1 (10-12) Led to 3rd, chased leader to 5th, effort 9th, weakened before next, 6th of 12, 14l behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
Mister Zaffaran (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) With leader, led 6th until approaching 3 out, soon beaten, hung badly right to paddock exit after last, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Harry's Dream (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (E) gf.
Offalevel 22-1 (10-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 49l behind Touch Closer (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf in Jul.
English Jim (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 8th, soon tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
It's Official (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 9th of 12, well behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
