held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway next, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
prominent, bumped 1st, challenged 5th, led next, ridden after 2 out, soon joined, driven out
led until 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
jumped stickily in rear, lost touch 3rd, pulled up before 5th
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, chased winner after 3 out, challenged approaching last, unable to quicken flat, stayed on close home
mistake 1st, pulled hard, tracked leader after 2nd until before 5th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
reminders start, towards rear, ridden 4th, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off
prominent, took keen hold, bumped 1st, not fluent 6th, weakened after 3 out
TOTOMAN won well last time under Richard Johnson at Bangor and the conditions seem to be in his favour going in to this race whilst Freedom Fire is respected having won over the hurdles already this year and if acting on the ground could challenge with Admiral Dundas and Blue Eyed Eloise offered as alternatives. The selection did well to beat Stormyisland Ahead who is a previous winner already this year when he was last seen. Richard Johnson retains the ride and we side with him here. Freedom Fire could play a significant role after two runner-up places since winning at Huntingdon in May. He runs in first-time blinkers and it remains to be seen if there will be any benefit for this application. Admiral Dundas wasn't far behind Dreamwalk and has improved with each of his three starts this season. Blue Eyed Eloise won when last seen over today's trip but this was in a weak Maiden Hurdle. Although Freedom Fire is best in at the weights and Tony McCoy has an eye-catching ride on Apache Dawn, we prefer the attentions of Totoman.
Freedom Fire (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 6th, not fluent 3 out, chased winner next, soon driven, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Paddy Partridge (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Admiral Dundas (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and mistake 2 out, rallied flat, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Dreamwalk (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Apache Dawn 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Paddy Partridge (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Billys Flyer (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 11, 18l behind Tagseed (9-12) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) gd in May (flat).
Blue Eyed Eloise 15-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside going to 2 out, chased winner briefly flat, always well held, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 8, 7l behind Avanos (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
King of The Moors (USA) 6-1 (9-9) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind High Resolution (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gs (flat).
Rebel Swing 10-1 (10-12) Prominent until brought down 4th, in a race won by Bold Exit (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd, 10 ran.
Zahara Joy 150-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 5th of 13, 38l behind Riverscape (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Totoman 2-1 (10-12) Made all, 2 lengths ahead and going best when blundered 2 out, in command when hit last, eased near finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Stormyisland Ahead (11-2) by 5l, 8 ran.
