chased leaders, driven along 10th, struggling 13th, soon no chance
chased leaders until mistake and unseated rider 2nd
not keen, ridden along throughout, chased leading pair until blundered 7th, soon in rear and never going well after, tailed off
in touch, chased leading pair 7th, chased leader 4 out, challenging when hampered on bend soon after 3 out, led well before 2 out, soon in control, very easily
behind, mistake 4th, driven along 11th, soon lost touch
chased leader, led 8th, headed when bumped 4 out, lost 2nd next, soon driven and stayed on same pace
blundered 2nd, reminders 12th, always behind, tailed off
tended to jump right, led, hampered by loose horse 3rd, headed 8th, chased leader, led and jumped right 4 out, headed well before 2 out, soon no chance with very easy winner
The three last-time-out winners look the three to concentrate on here and narrow preference is for Hurlers Cross ahead of Blue Sovereign and Satco's Deception. The selection comes here on the back of a comprehensive success at Sedgefield on quick ground and whilst he has been raised a whopping 15bs for that win, he shapes as if he is really getting his act together and on ground that he loves he should again go well for a jockey who is unbeaten from two starts on the horse. Blue Sovereign is very consistent and actually beat the selection last time out; with the weights in his favour then he may be fancied by many to confirm those placings. Satco's Deception is a course and distance winner, and under a 5lb raise for his recent win he must be high on anyone's shortlist. At a price Acertack could go well at a course he likes, and whilst Sky Warrior could bounce back to form, we are happy to return to Hurlers Cross as the nomination.
Sky Warrior (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Soon towards rear, ridden approaching 8th, blundered 9th, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Spare Change (9-10) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Burren Moonshine (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th and no impression when mistake 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 15, 42l behind Hurlers Cross (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Blue Sovereign 7-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, kept on to lead last stride, won at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Hurlers Cross (10-8) by a shd, 12 ran.
Hurlers Cross (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Held up mid-division, headway and in touch 11th, led 3 out to clear approaching last, driven out, easily, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Looking Forward (10-0) by 29l, 15 ran.
Satco's Deception (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden 13th, left 2nd 4 out, hard ridden, led soon after last, all out, won at N Abbot 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Aug beating Another Jewel (10-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
September Moon 10-1 (9-7) Led, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 6l behind The King of Angels (11-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Sahara Legend 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened 10th, 9th of 15, 45l behind Lost In Normandy (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f cnd hcp chs (5) gf.
Acertack (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 12, 19l behind Lusaka De Pembo (11-7) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Narval D'avelot (FR) 40-1 (9-7) Mid-division, lost place when hit 10th, no danger after and pulled up 4 out in race won by Hurlers Cross (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 15 ran.
