took keen hold, soon in touch, bumped 6th, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, headway 5th, jumped right and bumped next, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, soon ridden, one pace and headed last 50 yards
mid-division, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakening when jumped right last
held up in touch, weakened approaching 6th
chased leaders to 4th, behind from next, mistake 6th
always prominent, went 2nd 3 out, not fluent last, ridden and edged left flat, one pace
led 1st until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led until jumped slowly 1st, with leader, jumped right 3rd and 4th, weakened 6th, mistake 7th, tailed off
held up, headway when not much room at 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on to lead last 50 yards
held up, headway 6th, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
From a short list containing Fountain Crumble, Lyon and Longueville Manor in the opener, we will side with Fountain Crumble. The lightly-raced Fountain Crumble won well at Newton Abbot two runs ago and then still held every chance when taking a tumble last time. He still seems to be on a fair mark and, particularly given that this is a modest race overall, should go well. Much as Lyon's two recent wins have come at selling level, he did the job well at Hereford last time and still looks set to be competitive again today. Of the others, Longueville Manor looks a little one-paced but, having been placed in two of his last three runs, can achieve at least as much again, while Sun Hill put in a fair run at Hereford last time and might go well. and Rosadare, who has been raised four pounds for a heavy-ground Wetherby win, is possibly opposable on the prevailing going. Finally, Whistle Blowing needs to build on his run here last time and Joey is held by Lyon on selling form. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Fountain Crumble.
Fountain Crumble 13-8 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, staying on when fell 2 out in race won by Complete Outsider (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Lyon 7-2fav (11-3) Held up rear and keen, headway 6th, led 2 out, challenged last, kept on well, driven out, won at Hereford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gf in Jun beating Soviet Sceptre (10-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Longueville Manor (FR) 5-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, in 3rd when mistake 3 out, chased clear winner soon after, kept on, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Hi Humpfree (11-9) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Prominent, ridden after 5th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 11, 8l behind Kanpai (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
The Spacer (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, went 3rd going well after 7th, outpaced from 3 out, edged left and kept on after last, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Granite Man (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Joey 12-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place after 4th, no danger after, 8th of 14, 22l behind Lilac (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Sun Hill 12-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, left 2nd 4th, led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Megaton (11-8) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Rosadare (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again after 4th, ridden approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Wetherby 2m 7f amt hcp hdl (5) hvy in May beating Washington Pink (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
