held up behind, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leader, led after 2nd, blundered when headed 4 out and next, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway to chase leading pair 4 out, ridden and outpaced after next, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, struggling 8th, never dangerous
led to after 2nd, tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, lost 2nd flat
tracked leading pair, blundered 8th, headway to lead 4 out, blundered next, ridden after 2 out, not fluent last, hung left and wandered when headed flat, rallied to regain lead post
held up behind, steady headway 3 out, went 3rd before next, ridden last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, headed post
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
PENYLAN STAR is the pick of these versus official ratings though this is no gimme for the Phillip Hobbs charge as he will need to have overcome a surprisingly modest effort when upped in grade at Haydock in May. Heron Bay hasn't cut much ice at this game so far but it is worth remembering that he was listed class over middle distances on the flat. Bobbie Magern is a full brother to Ollie Magern so expect to see him have improved for the step up in trip. Oursininlaw has to be respected on grounds of racefitness though a winners penalty will not help. Marblehead is rated in the high 120's over chase fences and while his hurdling hasn't quite lived up tp that rating, he does hold Downward Spiral on their most recent appearance.
Oursininlaw (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Held up in rear, in touch, chasing leaders when stumbled and unseated rider approaching 4 out, in a race won by Ripalong Lad (10-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Aug, 6 ran.
Downward Spiral (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led until 4th, left in lead 8th, mistake 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 14l behind North Island (10-12) at Bangor 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Heron Bay 9-2 (11-1) Chased leader, driven along after 3 out, one pace and no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, well held 3rd when blundered last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 7l behind Comehomequietly (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Knar Mardy 28-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 7th, 6th 2 out, stayed on approaching last to take never dangerous 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Grand Zouki (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Marblehead (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Led, mistake and ridden 5 out, headed 4 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 15l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-11) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Penylan Star (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Behind pushed along when hit 7th, tailed off after 5 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Picture This (10-7) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gd in May, 21 ran.
Bobbie Magern 8-1 (11-2) Led, headed over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Glitzy D'ocala (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Apr.
Devils And Dust (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased winner until 2nd, soon back in 4th, well held from 2 out, 7th of 8, 30l behind Galley Slave (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
