always behind, lost place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
always behind, pulled up before 5th
led, headed after 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, kept on to chase winner after last, no impression
always behind, struggling from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, pushed along and lost place approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced
held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, pushed along and struggling from 6th
held up, headway halfway, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, easily
tracked leader, joined leader 4th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, blundered last, lost 2nd run-in, finished 4th, disqualified and placed last
Not the best race to open up with but it is competitive consisting of Ostfanni, Thuringe and Leopold with the tentative vote going to the last named. Leopold has run with credit over the past couple of months without getting his head in front. His latest run at Stratford was not a bad run when third of nine not beaten far. This is a race that wont take much winning and with more question marks over his rivals he is given the nod. Ostfanni is one of the horses who carries a question mark as he ran out at Musselburgh back in February. Since then he did run at Haydock on the flat and ran well to finish six of twelve so is one to note in the betting market. As is Bubba Boy who is owned by champion jumps owner David Johnson and ridden by Timmy Murphy. His form looks a little hit and miss though. Thuringe is another interesting recruit from France but his form cannot be taken literally but is worth noting in the market. With a race with more questions than answers it may be worth siding with Leopold.
Bubba Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Never fluent, chased leaders, gradually lost place from 4th, behind from 6th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Gallery God (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Hestherelad (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Close up to halfway, weakened approaching 7th, soon lost touch, 4th of 6, well behind Freedom Now (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gf.
Safe Shot 50-1 (9-7) In touch until weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, 34l behind Transit (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in May '04.
Wee Sean (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Vic The Piler (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Apr, 12 ran.
Leopold (SLO) 15-8 (10-4) Held up, headway 6th, ridden and every chance after 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Lake Merced (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (D) gs in Jul.
Ostfanni (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) In touch, went 2nd when mistake 7th, lost place after 4 out, 5th and weakening when ran out 3 out in race won by Mr Midaz (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Shulmin 14-1 (10-13) With leader, pushed along over 5f out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 10, 22l behind Arctic Moss (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Thuringe (FR) 45-1 (10-3) unplaced behind Benefique (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 1f fillies hdl hvy in Jun '04.
