tracked leader, led after 2 out, driven clear last
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3 out, soon driven, weakened after next
held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 2 out, weakened last
held up, struggling 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along 3 out, soon no impression
led, mistake 2 out, soon headed and one pace
held up, not fluent 5th, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, lost place after 5th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last
Nonrunner
In time honoured tradition, it's ladies first and in a race full of suspect equine characters, Brave Hiawatha is marginally preferred to Leighton Buzzard and Kyathos. This race is little better than selling class and with a string of placed efforts, Brave Hiawatha gets the nod. The gelding can be forgiven a below par effort on his latest start as the ground would have been much too soft, but with his pilot in good form at the moment, he steals the nomination. Leighton Buzzard hails from the in-form Neil King yard. He barely stays the trip and the blinkers have been persisted with. Kyathos has some ability but is a tricky ride as he often hangs under pressure. He handles the ground well and cannot be discounted in an inherently poor contest. Escobar goes well around here but was punished harshly by the handicapper for a course-and-distance victory in selling company and is still paying the penalty. Neven returns to hurdles having competed recently over chase fences. A record of 0 from 18 over hurdles scarcely makes him banker material. C'Est La Vie would have chances if fit enough while Maunby Roller has always been ordinary but has completely lost the plot of late. This is not a race to be lumping the housekeeping on and Brave Hiawatha gets the vote to the most minimum of stakes.
Escobar (POL) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 16, 25l behind Tytheknot (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Brave Hiawatha (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon behind, 7th of 9, 41l behind Zacharova (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
C'Est La Vie 10-1 (9-7) Held up and detached, headway 4 out, hit 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 18l behind Terrible Tenant (11-9) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Leighton Buzzard 11-2 (11-0) With leader, led 3rd, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 12, 9l behind Southern Bazaar (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Flower Haven 10-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider in race won by Lilac (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf, 8 ran.
Just Beware 33-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden to improve 6th, weakened by omitted 3rd last, left moderate 4th at last, 4th of 8, 21l behind Lilac (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf.
Neven 9-2 (10-5) Held up, mistake 1st, headway after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Kova Hall (10-0) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Kyathos (GER) 4-1 (10-1) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led and went left 2 out, headed soon after last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Thunder Child (10-5) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf.
