Applaus appears to have lost his way but Lord Condi won twice at Perth over the summer, though faces a stiff task giving weight to more recent winners. Romeo Brown was more like his old self having a first run for Sue Smith at Hexham but has been hit with a massive 14lb hike in the ratings. UNIVERSAL FOLLY (NAP) finally got his head in front here last month and the second has franked the form since so Nicky Richards’ charge can double his tally ahead of Malpas, one of five course and distance winners in the line-up, and Irish raider Vee Dancer.
Lord Condi (IRE) 11-2 (11-13) Pushed along in midfield, towards rear 4 out, headway on outside 3 out, progress to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly under pressure from last, won at Perth 3m hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Late Date (10-10) by 15l, 12 ran.
Lucky Lover Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, in touch 5th, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 31 1/4l behind Highly Prized (11-1) at Southwell 2m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Romeo Brown 11-2 (10-6) Prominent, headway travelling well 2 out, led and ridden before last, went clear, impressive, won at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Serious Ego (11-7) by 14l, 14 ran.
Malpas (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Prominent after 3 out, joined and headed 2 out, weakend after last, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Time Leader (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Universal Folly 4-1 (11-9) Handy, pressed leaders 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden out to assert run-in, kept on well, readily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Wor Verge (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Applaus (GER) 12-1 (11-12) Jumped slowly and raced lazily, handy, struggling before 2 out, soon behind, last of 5, 32 3/4l behind Valse Au Taillons (13-0) at Hexham 2m hcp (3) sft in May.
Frightened Rabbit (USA) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened before last, 9th of 14, 32 3/4l behind Romeo Brown (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Ensel Du Perche (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, weakened soon after, 10th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Pateen (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Vee Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, hampered at 1st, closed in mid-division bypassing 4 out, bumped along before 3 out, kept on, 6th of 20, 16 1/2l behind Outside The Door (11-9) at Down Royal 3m hcp sft in Oct.
