tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, lost place between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair approaching last, lost 3rd near finish
made all, hit 3rd, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well flat
held up in last trio, struggling after 4th, tailed off 3 out
held up in 4th, chased leading pair 4 out, driven approaching 2 out, ridden to go 2nd between last 2, kept on same pace, held flat
hit 2nd, tracked winner to 4th, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in last trio, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd near finish, no chance with front pair
held up in last pair, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
Big Robert found disappointingly little off the bridle when favourite at Hereford last month, but Sara's Smile returned to winning ways in first-time blinkers at Cartmel and should be thereabouts here if the headgear has the same effect a second time. Rampant Ronnie was taking on much better opposition when well beaten at Market Rasen last Saturday, while High Bird Humphrey won off a higher mark over fences in July. But this can go to SERIOUS CHOICE, who was a progressive novice 18 months ago and has had a couple of sighters on the Flat this summer. He looks well handicapped back over timber. Space Telescope is preferred to Ajman of the others.
Sara's Smile 11-8fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led next, drew clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Cartmel 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Aug beating Stonethrower (11-3) by 20l, 4 ran.
Rampant Ronnie (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 13th of 15, 37l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Big Robert 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 11l behind Oscar Sierra (10-7) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
High Bird Humphrey 9-2 (10-13) Held up well in rear early, headway from 4 out, went 2nd and rider dropped whip approaching last, no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Lord Jay Jay (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Aug.
Space Telescope (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) With leader, led approaching 5th, jumped slowly and soon headed, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 24l behind Sweet World (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Serious Choice (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, led before 2 out, joined 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr '10 beating Hiddensee (10-7) by 3l, 9 ran.
Ajman (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Always in rear, mistake 5th, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Piper's Song (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
