made all, hit 3 out, quickened next, clear approaching last, ran on strongly
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway before 2 out, stayed on into 2nd when not fluent last, no chance with winner
in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden to challenge next, no impression approaching last
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened after next
prominent, hard driven after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, effort 3 out, weakened next
Harry Skelton has ridden Excellent Team in three of his last four starts but prefers Atlantic Storm here. The latter’s last win over hurdles came over course and distance, though he is still 8lb higher and has been chasing lately. Ambre Des Marais was rated 17lb lower when completing a hat-trick at Worcester a little under a year ago but was just beaten when last seen at Warwick in May. BEACH BREAK finally got his head in front in a Cartmel maiden last month. A 10lb rise looks harsh but he has his ground again and his stable is in cracking form. Samtu and Borak probably have a bit to find on these terms.
Beach Break 11-4 (10-10) Led until 3rd, chased leader, led again 4 out, clear before last, ridden out, won at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Jul beating The Steward (10-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Ambre Des Marais (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Reluctant to line up and led in, started slowly, held up in rear, headway going well before 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead and hung right run-in, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind She's Gina (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Atlantic Storm (IRE) 9-4 (12-2) Held up in touch, headway after 4 out, led after 3 out, hard ridden when idled and soon headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Old Salt (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Samtu (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 5th and ridden 2 out, stayed on flat, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Hermanus (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Excellent Team 11-4 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, never reached leaders, weakened next, 5th of 7, 32l behind Chantecler (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Borak (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, chased winner last, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 12, 12 1/4l behind Ange Des Malberaux (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
