tracked leader who went clear 3rd, closed 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, some headway 2 out, no impression, hit last
took keen hold, held up in 5th, chased winner after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression
held up, not fluent 7th, mistake next, struggling after 9th
tracked leaders, outpaced after 9th, stayed on approaching last, not trouble leaders
held up towards rear, headway after 9th, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led approaching 3 out, clear next, ridden out
led, clear 3rd until 9th, headed approaching 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, mistake and bumped 2 out, weakened last
Nonrunner
It was surprising to see Sovereign Spirit dropped into selling grade last time to complete his hat-trick as previous successes came in open handicap company. However, it was no surprise to see him win so easily. He now has his first run for Michael Blake, has risen 25lb in the weights for those three wins and might find the latest impost a bridge too far. In contrast, CHIT CHAT, who benefited from a typical Richie McLernon hold-up ride last time, is open to improvement and can shake off a 15lb rise for that success. Whereveryougoigo is up 7lb for a narrow Stratford victory but anything Peter Bowen runs at present must be taken seriously whilst Winter Alchemy takes the eye off the bottom rung and looks the each-way option.
Divy (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Led until 4th, led after 6th, headed after 3 out, weakened soon after, pulled up before last, in a race won by Paint The Clouds (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, outpaced 8f out, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Sapphire Rouge (10-13) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 5-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led 3 out, ridden clear, not fluent 2 out, stayed on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jun beating Transvestite (10-13) by 18l, 12 ran.
Whereveryougoigo (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway and hit 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly last, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Citrus Mark (10-11) by nk, 11 ran.
Balladeer (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Ap; led last; ro wl, won at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gf in May beating Lucky Nellerie (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Snake Charmer 9-1 (10-8) Led, soon clear, sometimes jumped right, mistake 8th, ridden and veered left after 10th, headed after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 30l behind Scotsbrook Cloud (11-2) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leader until 7th, one pace from 3 out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Mr Valentino (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f cond nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Jackson (BRZ) 40-1 (11-3) Prominent, mistake 3rd, ridden and lost place after 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 15, 24l behind Long Distance (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Chit Chat 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd before last, led flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun beating Grovemere (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Beat The System 33-1 (11-6) Led, headed 4th, tracked leader, ridden 6th, led again 2 out, driven and headed last, one pace and lost 2nd post, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Delcombe (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Dec '09.
Winter Alchemy (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Tracked leader, lost place when mistake and rider lost iron 6th, remained in touch, chased leader briefly after 2 out, stayed on to regain 2nd last, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Executive's Hall (10-3) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
