refused to race, took no part
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, one pace flat, lost 2nd close home
jinked left start, always towards rear
held up and keen, hit 4th, effort next, weakened after 3 out
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened last
behind, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
in touch, led after 2 out, soon ridden clear, edged left flat, ran on
A tricky looking contest with more questions than answers but the leading contenders include Arjay, Spiders Web and Storm Clear with the vote going to the last named. The selection won over course and distance albeit in selling company in April and although since then he¿s struggled in better races this is a weak race and he gets a tentative vote. Arjay has been knocking on the door in similar races but always seems to find one or two too good and that may well be the case again here. Spiders Web comes from a top yard and has Tony McCoy booked so is worth noting in the market but he looks exposed on what he has achieved so far. So for the winner we return to Storm Clear.
Spiders Web 15-2 (11-11) Held up behind, headway from 7th, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Roman Candle (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in May.
Shotacross The Bow (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened next, 8th of 17, 22l behind Damarisco (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Apr.
Storm Clear (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Natal (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (C) gd in May, 7 ran.
Wozzeck 12-1 (10-4) Led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, led against 5th, headed and ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Think Quick (9-11) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Mar.
Arjay 5-1 (9-7) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Royal Glen (10-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Transatlantic (USA) 9-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 6th, chased leaders and ridden after 2 out, one pace, 6th of 13, 12l behind Golden Chalice (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Mar.
Queen Excalibur 50-1 (10-2) Held up, effort and not fluent 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 14, 37l behind Buena Vista (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in May.
Master Nimbus 16-1 (9-12) In touch, headway and effort between last 2, stayed on to chase winner flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Casterflo (10-10) at Hexham 2m amt nov hcp hdl (F) gf in May.
