towards rear, headway approaching 15th, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra close home
prominent, left in led 14th, ridden 4 out, soon headed and weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, prominent after 15th, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 2 out
towards rear, ridden and lost 10th, pulled up before next
mid-division, hit 11th, ridden from 4 out, good headway from approaching last to lead close home
led, hit 3rd, blundered and fell 14th
held up, headway 15th to track leaders, ridden after 4 out, 2 lengths down when fell next
Zeta's River is out to make up for his recent costly defeat, and can defy topweight, with Cordilla and Aristoxene seen as the main stumbling blocks. The world and his wife wanted to be on Zeta's River when the seven-year-old lined up at Aintree last week, but unfortunately for his supporters, the rejuvenated Sleeping Night proved far too strong. However, that was still a good run considering that he was three-pound out of the handicap, and it was no disgrace to finish second to the Nichols horse. In the hope that Timmy Murphy will have him a bit nearer the pace today, Zeta's River should go close to making amends. Cordilla has been brought along steadily by Nicky Richards and has a win on this course to his credit. He appeared to be a bit unlucky on a return visit, when falling four out, as he was going well at the time, and his last run at Carlisle is best forgotten as the ground was very testing. He can chase home the selection, with Aristoxene best of the rest. He is only a five-year-old and may need more time to strengthen up, but remains one to keep on the right side of next season. On this occasion though, we prefer the claims of Zeta's River.
Zeta's River (IRE) 5-2fav Held up in rear, steady headway from 13th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Sleeping Night at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (B) gd.
Lou du Moulin Mas (FR) 8-1 Held up in touch, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 24, 15l behind Juveigneur at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar.
Aristoxene (FR) 4-1 Settled in 4th, mistake 12th, jumped left 18th, close up 3 out, no extra and jumped left 2 out, went right last, 4th of 5, 3l behind Inca Trail at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Mar.
Cordilla (IRE) 3-1 Held up in touch, mistake 9th, effort 4 out, outpaced next, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Supreme Breeze at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) hvy in Mar.
Imperial Dream (IRE) 4-1 Tracked leaders, ridden after 14th, disputing 2nd when blundered 3 out, no extra towards finsih, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Schuh Shine at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (D) gd in Mar.
Golden Rambler (IRE) 12-1 Made most until 11th, weakened after 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Glen Warrior at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (B) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Time To Reflect (IRE) 8-1 Held up, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, well behind Meggie's Beau at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (D) sft in Mar.
Dumadic 9-1 Close up, led 4 out, mistake 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Hidden Bounty at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (D) sft.
