mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, challenged approaching last, not quicken flat
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on gamely flat
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd approaching last, one pace flat
held up last, not jumped well, blundered 6th, lost touch
led to ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division and pulled early, ridden and switched right 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat
towards rear, ridden and lost touch 3 out, no impression
prominent, not fluent 2nd, effort and chased leaders 6th, one pace
Donaldson can land this contest with Shore Thing and Option Money the alternatives. The Fakenham winner made mincemeat of his opposition on that occasion and looks a sort with a fair future over timber. A listed winner on the level in Germany, he should have too much class for his rivals. Shore Thing has reportedly had heart problems in the past. Charlie Egerton has been able to get on top of that and send him out to a facile success at Uttoxeter last month. Option Money was scheduled to run on Wednesday evening at Newton Abbot. Karasakal would have a good chance if able to reproduce his second in an Ascot bumper to Hold 'Em. Silver Blue was a modest handicapper on the level over a mile. Maslak makes a hurdling debut but should be fit enough after a busy summer on the level. The well bred Tweed River has shown nothing on the level but is related to some grand staying types in that discipline. Donaldson has put all the ticks in the right boxes and is our selection.
Shore Thing (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Kirkhammerton (10-5) by 7l, 12 ran.
Donaldson (GER) 4-9fav (10-8) Tracked leader, jumped slowly 3rd, not fluent next, mistake 3 out, led next, soon clear, easily, won at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Wee Charlie Castle (11-2) by 10l, 9 ran.
Karasakal (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 10, 34l behind Little Lu (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Jul.
Silver Blue (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind Novikov (9-9) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd (Flat).
Welsh Guard (USA) 100-1 (11-0) In touch until weakened after 7th, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Inghwung (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Maslak (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final frulong, 7th of 15, 7l behind Night Hour (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd (Flat).
Tweed River (USA) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, weakened next, 12th of 14, well behind Mizen Raven (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Isintshelovely (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened, 14th of 19, 20l behind Dayia (10-10) at Sandown 2m mrs lst nhf (1) gd in Mar.
Height of Spirits 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Qrackers (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Option Money (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led and hit 6th, drew clear from 2 out, pushed out, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd beating Archduke Ferdinand (11-5) by 23l, 11 ran.
