tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2
tracked leader, led 2 out, 2 lenghts clear last, ridden out flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd between last 2, 2 lengths down last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, always held
held up in rear, struggling 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with front pair before last
Gordon Elliott enjoys a fine strike rate of over 30 per cent at the Scottish venue and DOVE MOUNTAIN is an obvious candidate to strengthen the figure further in a contest featuring three Irish raiders. The Danehill Dancer gelding is not the most straightforward but has performed creditably on each of three hurdling starts and sets the standard. A first-time tongue tie and cheekpieces are applied. Macalla has not built on a promising debut here behind John Monash as yet and Close Escape rather let himself down last time and needs to behave and run to a better level to contend. Mountain Kingdom's last run over timber was respectable and he looks the main danger on that evidence.
Close Escape (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led into start, led until 2nd, tracked leader until 7th, mistake and lost place 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Perth 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Dove Mountain (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Held up, towards outer under 2f out and pushed along to chase leaders, slightly impeded and one pace from under 1f out, 8th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Park Row (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jul.
Mountain Kingdom (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, dropped to 12th and pushed along from 3f out, ridden and no impression from 2f out, 15th of 16, 22 3/4l behind Camlann (9-5) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Jun.
The Islander (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) In rear, never a factor, pushed along straight and 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Have A Great Day (9-7) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Feb.
Macalla (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) With leader, led anrrowly after 1st, headed after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 11, dist behind Wazowski (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Jun.
