tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 8th
always in rear
held up, ridden from 9th, plugged on, dismounted after race
towards rear, headway after 5th, lost place 7th, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, one pace
led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden to lead again 3 out, headed flat, no extra
held up, ridden and some progress from 8th, no impression from 3 out
led 2nd, clear approaching 7th, headed 3 out, pulled up quickly before next
mid-division, ridden 4 out, no impression
held up, ridden 7th, held 3 out, dismounted after race
held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, hard ridden to lead flat (new course record)
tracked leaders, ridden 4th, weakened 8th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
This is a decent prize to win and some classy types take their chance including Alfred¿s Tower, Corkage and I¿m The Decider and we will side with the last named to gain victory. I¿M THE DECIDER is eight pounds higher since winning at Ludlow last month. He is a seven year old that has continued to improve this year winning all three of his races in the past six months. Jonjo O¿Neill has his team of horse in great form at present and with Tony McCoy booked to ride he will get every assistance from the saddle. A personal best effort will be needed but he is progressive and is worth staying on the right side of for the time being. Alfred¿s Tower won over fences on his first run for Paul Nicholls last May. He has only been lightly raced since but he did win over hurdles at Wincanton on his return to the track in April. That was followed by a bone crunching fall over fences at the same venue last month and connections have decided to return to the smaller obstacles once again. If returning to his best he warrants plenty of respect, however I¿m The Decider comes into this race in the form of his life and is given preference.
Faasel (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led between last 2, headed last, ridden and no extra flat, 4th of 16, 5l behind Elzahann (10-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Hold Em (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 12th, outpaced 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, soon no chance, 9th of 12, 30l behind Seymar Lad (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Corkage (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, outpaced 3 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on well, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Sheshali (11-6) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (5) gd.
I'm The Decider (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 8th, outpaced next, rallied approaching 3 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Sashenka (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Giovanna 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 2 out, one pace from last, 5th of 8, 5l behind Sheshali (11-6) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (5) gd.
Raslan 12-1 (11-12) With leader and mistakes, led 9th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 35l behind Sheshali (11-6) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (5) gd.
Barneys Mate 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, fell 6th, in a race won by Sheshali (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May, 16 ran.
Snake Charmer 3-1 (11-0) Close up on inside, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sheriff Hutton (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Court Ruler 25-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off, in a race won by Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 19 ran.
Alfred's Tower 5-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 17th, went 3rd 3 out, switched right and fell 2 out, in a race won by Terrible Tenant (10-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Last Flight (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) In touch, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on from last, gaining and went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Simple Glory (10-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Come West (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Led until hit 3rd, with leader, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 19l behind First Point (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
