tracked leader, not much room 1st, lost 2nd next, not fluent 3rd, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, 2nd after 2 out until last bend, stayed on same pace
mistake 1st, chased leader 2nd until after 2 out, weakened from last
in rear, slow 2nd, fell next
held up towards rear, 6th before last, stayed on final 100 yards, never threatened
not always fluent, chased leaders, lost place before 3rd, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway going well 2 out, 2nd on last bend, soon led and ridden, headed close home
led, jumped left 1st, headed after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders on inside, led after 3 out, headed just after last bend, lost 2nd final 120 yards, kept on
mid-division, headway 3 out, 2nd last 120 yards, stayed on, led close home
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, 7th before last, never on terms
Another handicap in which Jimmy Moffatt is mob-handed. The local handler is responsible for five of the 11 runners which include last year’s first and fourth - Altruism and Captain Brown. But the former is 5lb higher while the latter has never won off a mark this high and was behind stable companion Space Ship at Ayr in the autumn. Several of these arrive in winning form including another Moffatt runner, Lough Kent. Restraint of Trade and Sailors Warn won at Uttoxeter and Stratford respectively but the latter has a penalty and the going is also a relative unknown. Caius Marcius may be too high in the weights now but Nicolas Chauvin could figure after a spell chasing and recent Flat winner Tonto's Spirit has Robert Hogg’s 10lb claim in his favour. MILROW will enjoy the surface and the four-year-old has the makings of a decent handicapper over timber – a recent third at Stratford was another step in the right direction.
Altruism (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) In rear, mistake 1st, behind when slow next, carried on well adrift until pulled up after 8th, at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in May.
Caius Marcius (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Held up in touch, effort to chase leader after 3 out, led just before last, ridden out, won at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating Verona Opera (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Tonto's Spirit 10-11fav (9-6) Led, pushed along over 2f out, edged left and headed over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Donnachies Girl (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Space Ship 7-4jfav (11-2) Chased leaders, 2nd 5th until before 7th, soon weakened, pulled up after 8th, at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in May.
Nicolas Chauvin (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Jumped left at times, held up towards rear, 4th from 3rd, mistake 7th, mistake and no impression from 4 out, hanging left flat, 4th of 7, 15l behind Festive Affair (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Milrow (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden and went 2nd approaching last until one pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Rossetti (11-3) at Stratford 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Captain Brown 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner after last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Desert Island Dusk (10-5) at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Beyondtemptation 8-1 (10-6) Led, clear to 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 8th of 10, dist behind Surf And Turf (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Restraint of Trade (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway to go 2nd 6th, led going well 3 out, ridden 1 1/2 lengths clear flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jun beating Horace Hazel (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Lough Kent 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, headway after 2 out, ridden run-in to chase leader, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in May beating Fiosrach (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Sailors Warn (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up and behind, steady headway 3 out, 3rd travelling well after next, led approaching last, quickened clear run-in, easily, won at Stratford 2m hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Our Three Sons (11-10) by 9l, 9 ran.
