made all, ridden approaching 2 out, just held on
held up in touch, took keen hold, closed before 2nd, went 2nd from 5th, ridden 2 out, hung right flat, stayed on, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home
prominent until 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd from 2nd until 5th, weakened after 3 out
whipped round start, led until 1st, tracked leader until 2nd, stayed on touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, fell last
held up in rear, jumped slowly and lost touch from 4th, jumped left and behind from next, mistake, hampered and left 4th last
John Ferguson won this last year and MINER'S LAMP, rated 100 on the Flat after three victories, made a big impression on his hurdling bow at Stratford and can remain unbeaten. Dire Straits hasn't really progressed as expected from his victory at Plumpton in April though he did perform well here last time. Tiger Twenty Two is only a four-year-old but wasn't far behind the latter last time and with further progress likely could be the one to chase home the selection.
Dire Straits (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Nabucco (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Jul.
Miner's Lamp (IRE) 13-8fav (10-9) Tracked leader and keen, challenged on bit after 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Mighty Missile (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Brigadoon 33-1 (9-9) Prominent, led 8f out, headed 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, 23l behind Kinema (9-8) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Jimmy Crackle (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden in 5th after 6th, mistake and no impression 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Tiger Twenty Two 5-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders, took keen hold, pushed along after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Nabucco (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Jul.
Pixiepot 20-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, mistakes, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Miss Dinamic (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
