tracked leaders, driven after last (usual 3 out), went 2nd 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, joined winner towards finish, just failed
held up in rear, headway after last (usual 3 out), ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
made all, clear over 2f out to over 1f out, soon ridden, joined towards finish, just held on (2 flghts in home straight omitted)
tracked leaders, outpaced last (usual 3 out), soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after last (usual 3 out), weakened 2f out
mid-division, behind from 4th (usual 8th), tailed off
behind, ridden to chase clear leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, never on terms
mid-division, headway after last (usual 3 out), chased leaders 2f out, kept on and every chance 1f out, no extra final furlong
tracked winner, hit last (usual 3 out), ridden over 2f out, soon lost place and weakened
mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced last (usual 3 out), kept on final 2f, never near leaders
mid-division, weakened last (usual 3 out), tailed off
towards rear, ridden and kept on final 2f, never near leaders
Jonjo O'Neill has won both previous renewals with today's representative, Mission Complete, successful in 2013. But he hasn't raced over hurdles for more than a year and has become unreliable over fences. Solway Sam had What A Steel behind when successful at Perth last month but stablemate Solway Prince has more scope. Handmaid and Count Salazar both arrive in decent form but appear closely matched on the form book. Tir Dubh is interesting on her first start in a handicap but A HAIRY KOALA ran well for a long way on his reappearance at Uttoxeter on his first run since March and also has plenty of room for improvement - David Pipe's five-year-old could be the one today.
Handmaid 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place from 8th, stayed on from 2 out, ran on flat, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Blackwell Synergy (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Handsome Dan (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up in rear, headway when hampered 5 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Count Salazar (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led, headed before 4th, led again 7th, ridden before last, kept on, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Church Field (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
What A Steel (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, driven 3 out, ridden and lost place before next, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Solway Sam (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Mission Complete (IRE) 7-1fav (11-3) Not always fluent, in rear, pushed along 3rd, struggling 10th, well beaten when mistake 4 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Etania (10-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Mo Rouge (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, dropped to rear 4th, lost touch 12th, no danger after, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Ballyben (11-3) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Feast Of Fire (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, weakened before 3 out, mistake 2 out, 8th of 13, 29 1/2l behind Blackwell Synergy (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Tir Dubh (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, headway to lead after 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no impression with front pair before last, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Uncle Tone (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Jul.
A Hairy Koala (FR) 4-1fav (11-0) Prominent until not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, headway after 5th, wide when closing before 3 out, edged right and every chance 2 out, no extra last, 6th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Alwaystheoptimist (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Moyode Wood 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, lost place 4th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 12, 24l behind Father Edward (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gf in Jul.
Solway Prince 7-2fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 8th, one pace 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no impression, 4th of 13, 4l behind Blackwell Synergy (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Solway Sam 7-2fav (10-2) Tracked leader, led 4 out, pressed last, soon ridden, kept on flat, just held on, won at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Le Grand Chene (10-3) by nk, 8 ran.
Call Me Kate 11-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 6th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Blackwell Synergy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
