in rear, headway approaching 2 out, in 4th and one pace when hit last, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along after 4th, soon weakened, tailed off, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed approaching last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching last, soon drew clear
held up mid-division, tracked leaders after 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and weaken next
led to 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon tailed off
towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, chased winner last, no impression
Nonrunner
John Mackie's Knight In Purple has rather harshly been raised 20lbs for his victory at Doncaster last month and he looks best watched today in a race taken to go to BALLYSIMON, who is preferred to Elite Land. Brian Ellison's gelding comes here on the back of wins at Stratford and Ayr in his last two starts and he has not been too harshly punished by the handicapper having only been raised 2lbs for his latest narrow success so has claims of completing a hat-trick. Elk Trail ran better at Ludlow last time but needs to improve again to trouble the judge in this company, while Claire Dyson's Wheelavit has struggled against the handicapper since winning at Newton Abbot in June. An 8lb rise for his latest win at Warwick, seemingly prevented Tom O'Tara from winning his third race on the bounce on a return visit to the venue last month and of more interest may be the selection, Ballysimon. James Ewart's gelding won well at Wetherby earlier this month and, although he is now 23lbs higher, he won with plenty in hand that day and can follow up that success.
Elite Land 3-1 (11-12) Held up in last place well adrift, progress after 6th, came stands side 3out, every chance next, ridden and hit last, stayed on to lead post, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Patriot (10-12) by ns, 7 ran.
Elk Trail (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Just Rob (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Border Tale 9-1 (11-7) Led, hit 3 out, driven and hard pressed last, soon ridden and headed, lost 2nd and faded final 75 yards, 5th of 9, 19l behind Lightening Rod (11-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Knight In Purple 33-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden and hit 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Overturn (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, went 3rd approaching next, soon ridden, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Perfect Reward (11-5) at Ludlow 2m Selling Hurdle (4yo-8yo) (4) sft.
Tom O'Tara 9-2 (11-8) Raced wide, tracked leader, led approching 4th, headed after 3 out, one pace 2 out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Nono Le Sage (10-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
Painted Sky 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 50l behind Alfloramoor (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Regional Counsel 9-2 (11-6) Held up, always towards rear, 8th of 11, 34l behind Nono Le Sage (9-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Wheelavit (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 12l behind Dark Energy (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Ballysimon (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on to lead soon after next, drew well clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Sharadiyn (11-12) by 21l, 12 ran.
