led, headed 7th, ridden 3 out, led again before 2 out, stayed on well
held up, outpaced 3 out, tailed off when mistake last
tracked leader, disputed lead 6th, led and quickened next, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakening when not fluent last
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
3rd and in touch when fell 5th
held up, pushed along and lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Local trainer Michael Chapman holds the key to this with Present Oriented holding sway over his stablemate Water Pistol, while Barfleur is rated as the main danger out of the rest. Barfleur has scope for improvement and, as a likely type to cope with the ground, she should go well. Peter Bowen's mare is going the right way and a bold bid is expected over a trip that will suit. Water Pistol had bits and pieces of useful form on the Flat for Amanda Perrett but has taken time to adapt to this code of racing. Being by Double Trigger, staying is his game but he is only of modest ability and looks vulnerable to an improver at this stage of his career. Which is where we turn to Present Oriented, who has plenty of experience of his local course and, having held his form well since winning here in June; the son of Southern Halo is fancied to prove even better over this longer trip.
Present Oriented (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Led, hit 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Ladino (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Hestherelad (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jorobaden (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
It's Bertie 6-1 (10-12) Chased winner to 6th, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 33l behind Sakenos (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Barfleur (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, left 2nd briefly after 2 out, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Colorado Pearl (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Water Pistol 20-1 (10-7) Led 2nd to 3rd, jumped right 4th, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 36l behind Considine (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Solway Flo (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Held up; hdwy 13; chsd wnr 2 out; no imp, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Royal Reference (11-12) at Aspatria 3m ptp gf in May.
Monsieur Delage 100-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden after 3 out, hit last, stayed on well to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 4l behind In No Hurry (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
