took keen hold, hit 4th, always towards rear
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied to go 2nd 2 out, stayed on flat
keen and not fluent, made virtually all, mistake 2nd, driven out
mid-division, lost place approaching 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 5th
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, weakened after next
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
keen, chased winner, wandered approaching 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
Backstreet Lad, Verstone and Southern Shore are three against the field in a tough opener and the vote is given to Verstone. The selection was a fair third behind Aviation on his debut. He is sure to have come on for the experience and given nominal improvement he will be hard to beat. Backstreet Lad rates the main danger on his debut fifth behind Goldstar Dancer but he gave the impression that he would be suited by a longer trip on that occasion and for that reason he is passed over today. Southern Shore was let down by his jumping on his debut and will need to improve in that department if he is to trouble the principals. Ardasnails showed a modicum of ability on the flat but he will need to improve for the step up in trip if he is to get competitive. Of the remainder, Etoile Russe and Zando are from a yard that does well in this sphere and are worth a cautionary look in the market, but for the winner we return to Verstone who looks sure to improve.
Ardasnails (IRE) 100-1 (7-5) Led, pushed along over 5f out, headed over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 16, well behind I Got Rhythm (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 6f stk (7) gd in May (Flat).
Backstreet Lad 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, driven and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 15l behind Goldstar Dancer (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Aug.
Etoile Russe (IRE) 50-1 (8-3) Chased leaders stands' side, headway 1f out, stayed on to lead group inside final furlong, no chance with far side, 5th of 16, 5l behind Passion Fruit (8-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug (Flat).
Southern Shore (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went badly left and unseated rider in race won by Gortumblo (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
Time To Succeed 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when mistake 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Aviation (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
Top Pursuit 33-1 (8-7) Raced wide, soon outpaced in rear, 7th of 8, 7l behind He's A Diamond (8-8) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn aut (E) gf in Jul '04 (Flat).
Verstone (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Behind, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, no impression flat, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Aviation (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Aug.
Zando 20-1 (7-11) Towards rear, lost touch from halfway, last of 13, 43l behind Mustang Ali (8-7) at Carlisle 1m 4f hcp (6) frm (Flat).
