held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner last, one pace flat
chased leaders, stumbled 6th, ridden and not fluent 2 out, weakening when mistake last
mid-division, losing place when not fluent 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
reared up and unseated rider at start
chased winner, not fluent 6, no extra flat
held up, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
jumped slightly left at several hurdles, made all, hit 6th, mistake 2 out, edged right flat, kept on
behind from 4th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off approaching 2 out
A competitive contest gets proceedings underway but the principals look to be Kristoffersen, Slalom and Ponchatrain and the vote is given to Kristoffersen. The selection was a fair fourth last time out behind Romany Prince last time out. The step up in trip looks sure to suit and with the stable condition al taking off a handy ten pounds he looks the value bet in an open affair. Slalom rates the main danger as he was a fair fourth behind Festive Chimes last time. That form has since been franked and he will not be far away but he gave the impression he would be suited by more cut on that occasion. Ponhatrain is another worthy of respect on his best form but he was slightly disappointing last time out. However he is another that will appreciate the step up in trip. Of the others the unbeaten Square Mile represents top connections and should be noted in the market but he may just need the run after a 449 day absence and for the winner we return to Kristoffersen.
Kristoffersen 9-1 (11-8) In touch until ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Romany Prince (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (C) gf in Aug.
Slalom (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and not fluent 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 5l behind Festive Chimes (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf.
Fact Cat 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division for 4f, rapid headway to go prominent after 8f, soon ridden and weakened, 12th of 14, well behind He's The Boss (11-8) at Stratford 2m mdn opn nhf (H) gs in Mar '02.
PonchaTrain (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) In touch, joined leader 5th, led next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 9, well behind Festive Chimes (9-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gd in Jul.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon hung left, not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sharaab (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf.
Menai Straights 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, mistake 7th, headway after 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 43l behind Star Member (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (D) gd.
Noble Sham 9-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on well under pressure from 2f out, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Long Road Home (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in Aug.
Square Mile (IRE) 1-4fav (11-3) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Perth 2m nhf (H) gd in Jul '04 beating Clearly Oscar (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
