mid-division, headway 16th, soon chasing leaders, led after 2 out, soon clear
mid-division, under pressure 4 out, some late headway, never troubled leaders
held up in rear, under pressure when not much room approaching 14th, soon beaten
always behind
led until 10th, remained prominent, led again 16th, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, lost place halfway
tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, gradually weakened
always behind, never jumped well throughout
in touch, mistakes 9th and 12th, soon lost place
prominent, led 10th, headed 16th, weakened after 4 out
TOBY JUG is preferred of the four last time out winners in this field whilst Apollo Creed and Fair Point must also be considered. The gelding is in rare form at the moment and Timmy Murphy partners Toby Jug in preference to Quarry Town whose own form figures are less compelling. He's 13lbs higher than when scoring on debut for the yard over a similar trip to today's at Newton Abbot but that could be worse in the current era of hefty rises given that he scored by 14 lengths and ten lengths. Templer has taken advantage of a lower mark over hurdles to win his last two starts over timber and has to be respected back over birch given his current form. Classic Clover is another that has won his last two but he hasn't always been the most reliable in the past and it could be dangerous to assume that he's turned over a new leaf. I Hear Thunder is capable on his day but this is more competitive than the race he won at Fontwell so he looks opposable under a penalty. Apollo Creed and Fair Point both lost their way but have claims on the pick of their efforts whilst Kilcrea Asla could make more progress if he brushes up on his jumping. However, there are no such concerns with Toby Jug who is on a roll at present.
Toby Jug 6-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 11th, hit next, not fluent 14th or 15th, went 2nd after 4 out, great jump to lead 3 out, soon clear, hit 2 out, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 3m noc chs (3) gf beating Ballyvesey (10-4) by 10l, 5 ran.
Out The Black (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden, mistake 9th, struggling 5 out, tailed off, 4th of 11, 39l behind Beat The Boys (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
Templer (IRE) 17-2 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 9th, ridden after 2f out, led soon after last, stayed on well, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gf beating On The Other Hand (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Double Dizzy 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 10th 6 out, no impression from after 4 out, 11th of 17, well behind Ambobo (10-13) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 sft in May.
Bowleaze (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up, 5th, pushed along, struggling approaching 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, 42l behind Beat The Boys (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
College Ace (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, soon in touch, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 25l behind Ellerslie George (10-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sep.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Made most, stayed on well from 2f out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd beating Majy D'auteuil (10-3) by 8l, 6 ran.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Blundered 1st and next, always in rear, ridden 10th, soon well behind, tailed off when blundered 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Picts Hill (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Quarry Town (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Bumped and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Mister Apple's (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf, 17 ran.
Classic Clover 9-2 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 11th, pushed along next, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led and bumped 2 out, cajoled home (no time taken), won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gd beating Ballinruane (11-6) by 3l, 13 ran.
Kilcrea Asla (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) With leader, led 6th, kept on well from last, headed near finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Shadow Dancer (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Fair Point (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Led, headed 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 38l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Lingfield 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
