chased leaders, led approaching 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
led until headed approaching 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
prominent, weakened 7th
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed run-in, no extra
held up, headway and jumped left approaching last, led run-in, driven out
close up, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, pulled up when tailed off before 3 out
held up, headway 4 out, one pace
in touch, reminders halfway, rallied approaching 3 out, kept on from last
held up, headway 4 out, disputing 2nd when hampered last, kept on
held up, headway 4 out, prominent next, one pace
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from 2 out
always behind
behind, ridden 7th, never dangerous when fell last
held up, outpaced from 4 out
mid-division, outpaced 6th
in rear, effort 7th, never dangerous
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Jim The Gent, Bay Solitaire and Humourous and the vote is given to Jim The Gent. The selection was a fair second behind Drivesford last time out. That form looks solid and despite top weight under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Bay Solitaire rates the main danger as he goes well fresh and he could go well at a price. Humorous is another that could go well on his third behind Snows Ride but consistency is not his strong point. High Bird Humphrey was a fair sort when last seen but the suspicion is he may need the run after a long break. Of the remainder Dawn Ride is unexposed and has conditions to suit so he could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Jim The Gent who looks sure to run his race.
Jim The Gent (IRE) 11-8fav (11-1) Keen early, led after 1st, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace flat, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Driversford (10-5) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Lockstockandbarrel (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 8, 20l behind Battlecry (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Bay Solitaire 25-1 (11-12) In touch, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dolans Bay (10-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Impress 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 5f out, 6th of 9, 33l behind Beau Nash (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
High Bird Humphrey 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Hot Weld (11-9) at Perth 3m hdl (E) gf in May '05.
Wee Bertie (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Le Briar Soul (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Humourous (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Made all, held on well close home, 15th of 16, 48l behind Snow's Ride (11-7) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd. Later dsq to last.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Behind from 5th, 13th of 20, well behind Brave Rebellion (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Four County Lad (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, jumped poorly, weakened from 4 out, eased before 2 out, 16th of 20, well behind Native Royal (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 gd.
Napalm (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 13l behind No Greater Love (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Norminster 15-2 (11-8) In touch, headway halfway, outpaced 2 out, rallied, every chance approaching last, soon beaten, 3rd of 15, 23l behind Mae Moss (9-11) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Miss Morelli (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Prominent, led approaching 4th, ridden 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 32l behind Middleton Dene (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Rocknest Island (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Behind, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 12th of 18, 41l behind Bleu Pois (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Astorvale (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, remained with winner, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden, beaten when mistake 2 out, 5th of 11, 34l behind Brave Rebellion (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Scott's Mill 28-1 (11-12) Chased leader, reminders after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Lazy But Lively (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jul.
Smart Man 40-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 14th, 7th of 9, well behind Westfield Dancer (10-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 18, 23l behind Bleu Pois (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Kinfayre Boy 150-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 3rd to 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 16th of 18, well behind Bleu Pois (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
