raced keenly, led until narrowly headed after 3rd, led again 3 out joined last, ridden run-in, headed and carried left final 100 yards, not pace of winner
pressed leader, led narrowly after 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, headed next, lost 2nd and weakened quickly soon after
mid-division out wide, outpaced and struggling before 3 out, soon behind
held up and always towards rear, never a factor
off the pace towards rear, never on terms
held up towards rear, good headway out wide 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon edged left, upsides last, hung left and led final 100 yards, quickened readily clear
chased leading pair, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, never dangerous after
mid-division, towards rear after 3rd, behind and struggling 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, never involved
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance when hit next, lost 2nd and weakened soon after
raced keenly in mid-division, good headway on inside after 3 out, chased leaders turning in, 3rd and held when hit last
Opening Bid will probably strip fitter for last month’s run at Newton Abbot but, along with Begin The Luck, has a lot to find with Canal Rocks. Karakoram won at Taunton and Chepstow last season but Kai Lenihan takes a very handy 10lb off GERARD MENTOR, who has also been dropped a pound since his latest fourth at Newton Abbot. The three-year-olds Flintstone and Never No Trouble have only had two runs apiece and are not highly tried making their debuts in a handicap.
Opening Bid 15-2 (12-2) Chased leader, keen early, pushed along and weakened home turn, never landed a blow, 7th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Appreciate (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
El Diablo (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place next, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Commander Miller 9-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division on outside, mistake, lost place and reminder 5th, some headway to press for modest 4th 2 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Kapitaliste (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Razzo Italiano (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, blundered badly 7th, pulled up before next, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Begin The Luck (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, keen throughout, struggling and dropped to rear home turn, tailed off, last of 9, 33 1/4l behind Appreciate (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Gerard Mentor (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, not much room 4th, headway before 2 out, soon hung left and beaten, 4th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Colonel Lesley (10-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Karakoram 9-2 (10-8) Mid-division, lost place and struggling towards rear at 5th, soon behind, 6th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Gold Souk (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Flintstone (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Soon led, headed 3rd, not fluent 3 out, lost 2nd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Rolypolymoly (11-5) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Army Of One (GER) 9-1 (9-9) Always in rear, 13th of 16, 24l behind Fen Tiger (9-8) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (6) sft in Sep.
Canal Rocks 10-3 (10-2) Mid-division, headway under pressure tracking leaders home turn, disputed 2nd when bumped after 2 out, outpaced approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Appreciate (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Never No Trouble 15-8 (10-9) Prominent, led 5th, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on but well held run-in, 2nd of 7, 7 1/2l behind Graffiti (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Aug.
