tracked leader, led before 3 out, kept on well from last
towards rear, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden after last, kept on same pace
mid-division, weakened from 3 out
always towards rear
in rear, tracked leaders after 3rd, led before 4th, headed before 3 out, no extra from last
tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and no impression
led, headed before 4th, ridden to regain lead before 3 out, soon headed, weakened from 2 out
NonRunner
Soft ground is not ideal for Traditional Dancer and he was weighted to beat his one rival when landing the odds in a match at Kelso recently. It was fast going when Desert Island Dusk won at Hexham last time but Oldgrangewood and Tomkevi won in soft ground early this year and both could figure returning from lay-offs. Presenting Rose has won a couple of novice hurdles but Irish raider PASHTUNWALI has the more recent form with placed efforts in handicaps at Listowel and, earlier this month, at Gowran - Eoin Griffin’s charge gets the nod.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Made all from sole rival, drew readily clear before 2 out, unextended, won at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gf in Oct beating Oak Vintage (11-5) by 18l, 2 ran.
Oldgrangewood 9-4 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to go 2nd before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 9 3/4l behind Impulsive American (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Tomkevi (FR) 9-2 (10-2) In rear and in touch, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Forest Bihan (11-12) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
The Doorman (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Towards rear, pushed along before 4th, detached after next and pulled up before 7th, at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Desert Island Dusk 4-1 (11-5) Led until after 2 out, led again last, edged left flat, held on well, won at Hexham 2m (3) gd in Jun beating Caius Marcius (11-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Pashtunwali (IRE) 7-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 4th, kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 20, 9 1/4l behind Copy Print (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Fred Le Macon (FR) 11-1 (10-0) Behind, mistake 2nd, outpaced 3 out, went moderate 4th before last, kept on flat, never troubled leaders, 4th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Australasia (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Presenting Rose (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 14l behind Princess Tara (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
