raced wide, led 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
always behind
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and edged right 2 out, headed flat, kept on, held near finish
tracked leader, lost place 3 out, ridden next, hit last, no extra flat
hit 1st, held up, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, soon outpaced, never on terms
chased leaders to after 4 out, ridden and weakened next
raced keenly, close up on inside, lost place 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden approaching last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, all out
held up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never trouble leaders
This is a very good race with the shortlist containing Fait le Jojo, Hernando's Boy and Swift Swallow with the vote going to the last-named. Raised six pounds for his Wetherby win, Swift Swallow looked like he had more to come there and, clearly in good heart, looks set to go well again. Fait le Jojo is also running well and following a win and a third, he was not disgraced behind Lingo at Cheltenham last time and is respected. Hernando's Boy's Haydock fourth in a Flat versus Jump jockeys contest on November 19th was fair, and he is respected, while the Howard Johnson-trained Credit looked a very promising novice last season, although the handicapper has him at the top end of what he might have given him. Always Waining has a similar profile although two runs this season have hardly been auspicious, and Border Tale would have a chance based on the form of his May Aintree win. However, for the selection we return to Swift Swallow.
Fait Le Jojo (FR) 50-1 (10-1) Tracked leader, led 2nd to approaching 5th, led again briefly before 3 out, one pace and no impression after 2 out, 8th of 19, 11l behind Lingo (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs.
Swift Swallow 11-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out and hit next, stayed on under pressure to lead final 30 yards, all out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in May beating Enhancer (11-10) by 1l, 10 ran.
Hernando's Boy 3-1fav (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 12, 10l behind Flying Enterprise (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs.
Always Waining (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 20l behind Overserved (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy.
Credit (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) In touch, smooth headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (B) gf in Feb beating Rehearsal (10-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Low Cloud 2-1 (11-6) Mistakes, keen in touch, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Winsley (11-6) at Towcester 2m beg chs (D) gf in Oct.
October Mist (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, towards rear when hampered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Jordan's Ridge (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Apr, 19 ran.
Karathaena (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and outpaced from next, 4th of 7, 12l behind Nathos (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy.
