tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
led briefly first, ridden after 7f, led 4f out, headed and weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 7th, chased leaders necked, led last, ran on
led 2nd, headed 8th, weakened 3f out
joined leaders, ridden and switched right when weakening approaching 3f out
started slowly and detached, headway after sixth, ridden to lead after 3f out, headed last and faded
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 4f out, lame
soon dropped rear, tailed off from 7th
Better Moment gets a tentative vote of confidence over Gabor and Gaelic Roulette. The last named won well at Huntingdon on his penultimate start and, as he will love the ground, is very much respected. However, he was readily held off this mark at Stratford three weeks ago and looks vulnerable on these terms. Gabor is still well treated on the pick of his past form and comes here on the back of a confidence boosting win at Hexham last month. He does need to prove that was not just a one off performance though and Sue Smith's new inmate has more on his plate tonight. Therefore, we go with Better Moment, who has rarely run a bad in the last couple of seasons and, as he reverts to hurdles on a fair mark, he looks to have been found good opportunity to strike. Martin Pipe won this twice in the last 10 years and his son, David, looks to have the leading player for the hat-trick bid with Better Moment.
Palace Walk (FR) 16-1 (9-12) Led to 5th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 7l behind Moon Catcher (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Gabor 7-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced after 3 out, rallied next, stayed on to lead approaching last, kept on, won at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun beating Only Words (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Gaelic Roulette (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders until weakened under pressure and blundered 8th, 8th of 15, 33l behind Harrycat (11-1) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
North Landing (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 47l behind Granite Man (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Lyon 16-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, hit 8th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Salt Cellar (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Letsplay (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, lost place 5th, ridden 6th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind El Corredor (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Better Moment (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led, driven along from 6th, headed next, led again after 4 out, headed after 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Twentytwosilver (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Blackies All (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, effort after 9th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 17, 31l behind Hylia (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
