prominent, chasesd winner 5th until approaching 3 out, no impression, went 2nd again before 2 out, mistake last
led until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, faltered and slipped just before path crossing bend after 6th, ridden before 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
raced enthusiastically, led approaching 3rd, clear before 2 out, stayed on well
held up in 4th, headway 8th, jumped slowly next, weakened 4 out
held up in 5th, headway 8th, chased winner before 3 out until approaching 2 out, soon beaten
MIDNIGHT GOLD is very much an in-and-out performer but we hope that he can put a poor run behind him and come good again here from a handy enough mark, while most of the others want softer ground to be at their best. The Peter Bowen-trained selection acts on a sound surface and races over his optimum trip here. He was good enough to win a Uttoxeter handicap off a 3lbs lower mark in July and he has been hit and miss since then, so we merely hope to catch him right today. Killard Point has a couple of good ground wins to his name and stays well. He has won off a higher mark in the past, but his recent form suggests that he might still be found wanting until slipping further in the weights. Etxalar is not without ability and this is not a frightening mark for his chase debut, so there is a chance that he could show up well, while Master D'Or definitely wants a drop of rain to be seriously considered win material, and Cybora looks to be in the grip of the assessor. Not a race to get heavily involved in and Midnight Gold gets the vote.
Midnight Gold 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 10th, outpaced after 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 9, 21l behind Tempsford (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Killard Point (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent until lost place 9th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May, 15 ran.
Etxalar (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, blundered 7th, outpaced 3 out, rallied to go 2nd briefly last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 10l behind Grand Theatre (11-12) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Master d'Or (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders early, losing place when hampered 4th, well behind from next, 8th of 11, well behind Line Artic (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Cybora (FR) 12-1 (10-1) Always in rear, struggling from 12th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Fire And Rain (10-6) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
