Worcester Races

Midfield - headway after 4 out - jumped right and shaken up 2 out - led last - ridden run-in - kept on (trainer said - regarding the apparent improvement in form - that gelding benefitted from a break and the return to Worcester - where gelding had run well previously)(op 6/1 tchd 11/2 and tchd 7/1)

Took keen hold - held up in rear - headway into midfield 4th - in touch with leaders 2 out - kept on well and pressed winner run-in - just held(op 4/1)

Held up in rear - headway 6th - in touch with leaders after 4 out - going easily but tenderly handled home straight - lost ground 3 out - stayed on and went third run-in - eyecatcher (jockey said - regarding running and riding - his instructions were to drop gelding out early - keep a good hold of gelding's head and take his time - before mounting a late challenge - adding that gelding settled well and found a nice jumping rhythm - and he had been able to make ground easily mid-race when the pace steadied up; however he made a respiratory noise towards the end of back straight - which continued on several more occasions throughout race - and had also hung badly right-handed - both facts he had reported at scales and which restricted his ability to be more vigorous in the home straight; trainer confirmed instructions and that gelding had been ridden in accordance with them; however whilst acknowledging gelding had hung-right handed - he did express concerns over the manner in which gelding was ridden specifically from jumping last hurdle; trainer also reiterated that he had emphasised to rider that he needed to be held together for as long as possible based on his analysis of gelding's run at Exeter two starts back - where he didn't get home for a different yard; 40-day ban: failed to achieve best possible placing; matter referred to BHA)(op 7/1 tchd 10/1)