mistakes, chased leaders, led 6th, headed after 2 out, kept on
led to 6th, remained close up, pushed along 13th, weakened approaching 3 out
mistakes, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, blundered 10th, reminders approaching 14th, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on same pace
with leader to 5th, weakened 5 out
held up, reminders 3rd, headway to chase leaders 12th, led after 2 out, driven out
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 6th, struggling halfway, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, weakened from 11th, pulled up after 12th
Nonrunner
Matmata Du Tendron, Super Road Train and The Dark Lord appear the most likely winners on paper and we are with the first named. The Andy Crook charge plugged on well to beat Miss Shakira at the course earlier in the month and having been nominated as a likely target, the handler is likely to have pulled out all the stops on the training ground. Super Road Train has proved a credit to Sue Smith since switching yards. He stays this trip adequately enough although the handicapper has now had plenty of chance to take a look. The Dark Lord has put up plenty of decent placed efforts at this course in the past. If the rain stays away, he would have to have every chance in this race although his most recent outing at Ludlow was definitely not one of his better ones. Front-running Finzi is an honest enough performer although his better form is with plenty of give underfoot. Korelo looks to have lost the plot these days. Victory Gunner has won this race on the last two runnings and is actually off the same handicap mark as he was last year. Orkis Des Aigles was not disgraced behind Canada Street at Wetherby and is noted in the market. A fair renewal of this contest and Matmata Du Tendron is afforded as the recommendation.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake 8th, weakened 16th, 6th of 11, 13l behind Spring Lover (10-11) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Present Oriented (USA) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 7th, led briefly 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 10l behind Yann's (10-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up, close up approaching 9th, effort 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Canada Street (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Super Road Train 6-4fav (11-12) Ran in snatches, ridden, outpaced from 15th, kept on under pressure from 3 out, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Matmata de Tendron (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Finzi (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Led, mistake 2nd, pecked 14th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced 2 out, 2nd of 7, 17l behind The Risky Viking (11-2) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 7th, headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened 16th, 6th of 9, well behind Arnold Layne (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Close up, ridden, outpaced approaching 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating Miss Shakira (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
High Moon (USA) 200-1 (9-10) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs, 13 ran.
Korelo (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, tailed off 6th and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Geeveem (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
