chased leaders, ridden 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, 5th and no chance when fell 3 out
held up, headway 5th, weakened 7th
led to 3rd, chased leader to after 7th, weakened 3 out
pulled hard, with leader, led 3rd to after 7th, weakened 3 out
in touch, led after 7th, ridden 3 out, ran on flat
held up, headway 7th, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Rapscallion gets a marginal vote over Cava Bien and Painter Man, with Akash another for the short-list. Rapscallion was by far the best of these on the Flat a few years ago, having numbered the Group 3 Horris Hill at Newbury among his four juvenile victories. However, he seemed to deteriorate afterwards, and having missed the whole of 2004, joined Heather Dalton to pursue a career over hurdles. He shaped well when second on his hurdles bow at Wincanton in March and will qualify for a handicap mark after today. By then he may well have opened his account, as that latest run appears to have rekindled his enthusiasm, and this time next year he may well be rated a lot, lot higher. Cava Bien was not the same class on the level but has a bit more experience over timber and that should stand him in good stead, while Painter Man was fancied on his bumper debut at Exeter and could go on to greater things eventually. Akash was fairly useful on the Flat and as long as the ground does not dry out, is another that can make his presence felt, but if Rapscallion shows a semblance of his past form on the level, he can outclass them in the finale.
