mid-division, went 2nd 6th, led 13th, going well and clear 3 out, stayed on well from last
led, headed 13th and weakened rapidly, pulled up before 6 out
prominent, niggled along from 6th, no chance with leaders from 3 out, no extra last
held up, pushed along and made no impression 5 out
in rear, mistake 5th, headway from 13th to go 2nd, pushed along and could not go pace of leader 3 out, kept on well from last, never on terms
A contest awash with question marks. Mr Mafia, now 14, was a 64-length last of four when last seen and runs off topweight after a 241-day absence. He is a course and distance winner though, as is O'Faolains Lad who failed to complete in his first three runs of the year but was better last time and now returns from wind surgery. Danny Whizzbang is back over fences after three hurdling runs which read pulled up, pulled up and fell. He'd handle these easily on the best of his old form but the jury is currently well and truly out. Investment Manager is somewhat in-and-out but two of his last three runs were fine and he's also back from wind surgery. D'JANGO is preferred though on the back of a decent effort latest against an in-form sort and is now back down to a mark 1lb under his last winning rating.
Mr Mafia (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Tracked leader until 7th, dropped to rear next, ridden and struggling 4 out, pressing for poor 3rd when bumped 2 out, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Le Breuil (12-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Danny Whizzbang (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Jumped right, raced wide chasing leaders, fell 3 out, at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Investment Manager 6-1 (11-13) Jumped left at times, chased leader who was soon clear, lost 2nd 9th, outpaced 15th, rallied into 2nd 2 out, closed last, switched right flat,, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Cresswell Queen (10-2) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
D'jango (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Chased winner until after 2nd, raced in 3rd after, went 2nd again 4 out, driven 2 out, well held flat, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Victory Echo (10-13) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
O'Faolains Lad (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) In touch in mid-division, closed 8th, not fluent 12th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 11, 19l behind Easkey Lad (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) gf in May.
