mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon struggling
held up in rear, some headway 4th, ridden after 2 out, left in lead last, driven out
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on from last
held up mid-division, weakened 2 out
towards rear, ridden and weakened from 8th
led, clear from 3rd, ridden after 9th, headed approaching last, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on flat
towards rear, mistake 1st, soon mid-division, headway on outer after 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headed 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, quickly pulled up soon after, dismounted
chased leader, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, one pace from last
Naomh Aaron can take this stayers' contest, with Southern Bazaar a danger and Only Words, Peter's Imp and Welsh Dream having some sort of claim. The selection was denied a win by the stewards last time but can make amends here. He sees out this trip well, acts with cut in the ground and still looks capable of further improvement, so he gets the vote. Southern Bazaar, Welsh Dream and Peter's Imp are all previous winners at this track, and the latter pair look to have the best chances today. However, both Welsh Dream and Peter's Imp need lifetime bests to win this. The pair enjoy getting their toes in and there is little doubt they will act on the ground, but they both just look a little too high in the weights. Southern Bazaar would prefer quicker ground to be seen to best effect, while Only Words is not without a chance on his best form. He has won on good to soft but would also prefer better ground and preference is for Naomh Aaron, who can make the trip up from Wales pay off.
Peter's Imp (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up, always behind, 11th of 12, 35l behind Double Deputy (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Naomh Aaron (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, smooth headway after 9th, challenged 2 out, hung left when pecked last, soon led, hung left again, held on, won at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun beating Or Sing About (11-12) by a shd. Later dsq to 2.
Welsh Dream 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 13l behind Michaels Dream (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Border Tale 28-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, every chance last, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Country Escape (11-6) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Little Task 11-1 (11-7) Always behind, 6th of 13, well behind Point (10-9) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in May.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Hi Dancer (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jun.
Only Words (USA) 8-1 (10-7) Held up, blundered 3rd, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 12l behind Dream Castle (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Compton Eclaire (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) With leader, ridden approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Canadian Sunset (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
