led and pulled hard, jumped right 2nd and 3rd, clear approaching 4th, ridden and headed 2out, no extra
chased leader, lost place 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied from last, ran on well to go second and close home
held up towards rear, making headway when short of room, hit rail and stumbled bend approaching 2 out, not recover
held up in touch, ridden behind leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
prominent, chased leaders on bit after 3 out, shaken up and led 2 out, ran on well from last
held up last, ridden after 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
Outside Investor is taken to complete a hat-trick at the expense of La Dolfina, Looks The Business and Tignasse. This has the makings of a competitive little handicap, but Outside Investor is in such good form at present that he must be fancied to go in again. His return to the winner's enclosure at Worcester in August was a surprise given his previous efforts, both on the Flat and over hurdles, but the five-year-old proved that it was no fluke when following up at Fontwell last month. It could be argued that neither were competitive affairs, but with his claimer able to take off seven-pounds here, he should go close despite the drop back in trip. La Dolfina was successful three times on the level but she has not really taken to hurdles and will need to jump better if she is to figure, while Looks The Business has had a busy summer but has a squeak if reproducing his Huntingdon victory in April. Tignasse barely stays two miles and will probably need the run, so with Gemini Dancer and Berengario having their fair share of weight, we look to Outside Investor as the answer.
Gemini Dancer 5-1 (11-5) Held up, weakening when mistake 3 out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Anticipating (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Berengario (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, ran on same pace from last, 4th of 11, 3l behind Alva Glen (10-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Apr.
Outside Investor (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up rear, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (F) gf in Sept beating Red Nose Lady (10-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
La Dolfina 4-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to chase clear leaders last, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Anticipating (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Tignasse (FR) 10-3 (10-0) Held up, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 39l behind It's Blue Chip (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Looks The Business (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 6l behind United Spirit (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Castle River (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Mister Moussac (10-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Sept.
