in touch, pushed along after 4th, weakened and dropped to rear before 4 out, soon eased
chased leaders, ridden to challenge and jumped right 2 out, went 3rd under pressure approaching last, no impression
took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 4 out, every chance and travelling well 2 out, soon driven, and weakened before last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, challenging on outside when bumped 2 out, mistake and no impression last
chased leader, not fluent 2nd, pushed along before 4 out, challenged and hit 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner after, no impression last
led, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened and hit last
in touch until weakened before 3 out
held up, pushed along 3rd, struggling 3 out
chased leaders, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
ANY GIVEN DAY is taken to upset the Paul Nicholls camp and get the better of Classic Swaine, while First Trim is another to add into the equation. The selection has done nothing but keep improving since joining Donald McCain this summer. He landed a hat-tick of wins at Kelso, Uttoxeter and Market Rasen and lost nothing in defeat behind Rajeh off a mark of 135 last time out. He has gone up a further two pounds in the ratings which does seem a little harsh but he is sure to give his supporters and connections another good run for their money. Classic Swaine never looks the most enthusiastic in his races but his strike rate speaks for itself winning five of his eleven races and finishing second three times. He was beaten by Consulate at Stratford last time out and maybe vulnerable to a horse that wants to win a little bit more than he does. First Trim looks a horse going the right way after winning his first two hurdle races. He was a fair handicapper on his day for Brian Meehan winning a handicap off a mark of 75 but he is sure to win more hurdle races so is worthy of respect. Any Given Day is tough and genuine so gets the narrow vote.
Trenchant 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders early, soon held up, mainly 7th, headway to 5th 4 out, ridden in 7th 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace straight, 6th of 8, 10l behind Mikael D'haguenet (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl G1 hvy in May.
Any Given Day (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway approaching next, shaken up to go 2nd after 6th, took narrow lead 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept battling away, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Rajeh (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Helium (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Led, ridden and headed well before 2 out, weakening when went badly right 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Higgy's Boy (11-9) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
First Trim (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) In rear, closer in 5th entering straight, ridden to lead on inner after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4yo Ext hcp hdl in Aug beating No One Tells Me (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Classic Swain (USA) 1-3fav (11-6) Not always fluent, led, pushed along approach 6th, ridden after 3 out, joined when hit 2 out, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Consulate (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
Nampour (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Led, blundered 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened, 5th of 7, 29l behind Walkon (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Ray Diamond 66-1 (11-5) Chased leader to 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, 6th of 7, 41l behind Hebridean (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Balzaccio (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged 2 out, disputed lead last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Benhego (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo hdl (4) gd in May.
James de Vassy (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 6th, shaken up approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 12, 5l behind Quiver Hill (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Mission Control (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Mid division, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, headed approaching last, hampered last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
