always in rear, ridden and struggling from 6 out
held up, ridden 15th, struggling from 6 out
prominent, joined leader 12th, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, lost 2nd near finish
jumped right, 1st tracked leaders, dropped to rear 3rd, ridden 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
close up, ridden 5 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, kept on
led, joined 12th, headed 4 out, chased leaders, rallied to go 2nd near finish
held up, dropped to rear 11th, soon ridden along, some headway 2 out
close up, chased leader 3 out, led approaching next, ridden and stayed on
Nonrunner
Across The Bay had last month's Chepstow winner Bob Ford and course specialist Herdsman well behind when winning over a longer trip at Haydock in December. Howard's Legacy is on a decent mark but has two ways of running while Dursey Sound has had a busy summer. Knock A Hand could be one to follow this winter, however, and Whats Happening will strip fitter for his run at Chepstow. OPERATING (NAP) won at Punchestown in May and that race could hardly have worked out any better. The second won the Galway Plate on his next start and made all in a Grade 1 at Down Royal earlier this month while the third has won all three races since, including a Listed handicap. Donald McCain's charge looks a class act and could be too good for these if fully wound-up.
Across The Bay (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Led until carried out by loose horse after 16th (water), continued in rear but no chance after, 14th of 40, well behind Pineau De Re (10-6) at Aintree 4m 3f hcap ch Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Dursey Sound (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, ridden after 4 out, headway when mistake 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 11th of 13, 40l behind Roalco De Farges (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Oct.
Knock A Hand (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on in clear 2nd approaching last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Bold Chief (11-8) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs in Mar.
Count Salazar (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Mid-division, progress into moderate 4th 3 out, ridden in 6th but closer before 2 out, no extra after last, kept on one pace, 9th of 22, 34l behind Road To Riches (10-11) at Galway 2m 6f hcap ch gd in Jul.
Ikorodu Road 33-1 (10-11) In rear and pushed along, always behind, tailed off, 16th of 22, well behind Chance Du Roy (10-6) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Dec.
Whats Happening (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up, tracking leaders in 5th, headway chasing leaders from 9th, went 2nd before 5 out until before next where every chance, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Samingarry (10-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs in Apr.
Bob Ford (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Made all, took keen hold, soon clear, in command before 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Oct beating Phone Home (11-7) by 13l, 7 ran.
Herdsman (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on outside, reminders after 5th, challenged 12th, hit 20 and 21st, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Midnight Prayer (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m Listed ch (1) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Howard's Legacy (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders on outside, weakened before 17th, blundered 4 out and next, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Guess Again (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Operating (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute 4 out and led next, under pressure and 1 length advantage last, kept on run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 5f nov hcp chs in May beating Road To Riches (11-3) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
