whipped round start and lost many lengths, in touch 2nd, hit next and soon led, not fluent 5th, joined 3 out, soon headed, kept on same pace, hit last, no chance with winner
led until after 3rd, chased leader, not fluent next, challenged 3 out, soon led, pushed clear before 2 out, easily
raced keenly, chased leading pair, outpaced from 4 out, mistake last
chased winner until 2nd, dropped to last, jumped slowly 4th, outpaced and struggling 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
Motueka came good in a maiden at Uttoxeter on his first run for Olly Murphy but consistency has not been his strong point to date and he could be facing an almost-impossible task here conceding 6lb to PORTRUSH TED. The latter won a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in the spring and has the potential to be a leading light among this season’s crop of novice hurdlers. Single Estate finished well ahead of Solway Berry over 2m4f here recently but may do better in handicaps.
Motueka (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Edged right start, led, soon headed, led again 1st, pressed bypassing normal last, in command towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mdn (5) gd in Jul beating Desert Retreat (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Portrush Ted (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Aintree 2m 1f (1) sft in Apr beating Kateson (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 20 ran.
Single Estate 40-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, no impression after, 5th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Montanna (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul.
Solway Berry 40-1 (10-5) Held up behind, some headway after 4 out, never reached leaders, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 35l behind Montanna (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul.
