mid-division, headway after 7th, soon chasing leader, led 2 out, ridden out
always behind, pulled up before 9th
in touch, mistake 3rd, soon weakened
held up, headway 3 out, mistake last, weakened
led, mistake 3rd, soon clear, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up when pulled up after 1st
mid-division, blundered 8th, never on terms
held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 3rd approaching last but no impression
prominent, mistake 3rd, weakened 6th, behind when fell 3 out
always behind, pulled up 3 out
Nonrunner
The shortlist is Jazz Night, Meltonian, Phildari and Kercabellec, and the selection Jazz Night. Tony McCoy gave Jazz Night a fine ride to win at Worcester and, with the champ taking the ride again, he has to be respected in a fairly routine handicap. Given plenty of time to get over his good course and distance run in June, Meltonian comes firmly into the reckoning, while Phildari jumped well to win at Market Rasen, and has gone well here in the past, although he has been beaten from his revised mark. As the sole course and distance winner in the line-up, Wardash gets a mention, although he has only won sellers over hurdles. With Gentle Beau not yet living up to his hurdling promise, Kercabellec holding place claims from his current rating, and a market inspection suggested on Market Rasen hurdling winner Thornton Bridge, we return to the selection, which is Jazz Night.
Jazz Night 4-1jt-fav (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf beating Dante's Battle (9-11) by 5l, 10 ran.
Gentle Beau 10-3 (11-5) Held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, chased winner and mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Prince Adjal (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Kercabellec (FR) 11-2 (10-1) Tracked leaders and mistakes, led 3rd, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from next, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Toulouse (11-9) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in May.
Meltonian 25-1 (11-6) Always prominent, led after 3 out, soon clear, headed when no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Take The Oath (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Jun.
Wardash (GER) 16-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened and eased from last, last of 9, 26l behind Space Cowboy (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gf.
Jim Lad 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 37l behind Whispered Secret (11-0) at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (E) gd.
Thornton Bridge 14-1 (9-7) Made all, soon clear, until approaching 6th, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf beating The Yellow Earl (9-9) by 8l, 6 ran.
Phildari (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-13) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by High Peak (10-6) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf, 15 ran.
