tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and pressing for 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner flat
led, not fluent 5th, headed and ridden 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra before last
held up in touch in mid-division, not fluent 3 out, closed after, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, driven clear flat
tracked leaders, went wrong and pulled up before 2nd
held up, ridden and weakened before 6th, tailed off
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, led 3 out, headed before last, soon beaten, edged left and one pace flat
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, behind 6th
held up, took keen hold, mistake 1st, headway when mistake 6th, driven, edged left and rider having problems with right iron before 2 out, 4th and beaten last
This looks a decent contest with Hazzaat back in novice company having finished fourth in a handicap over a longer trip here last time. Conducting stepped up on his win in a Worcester seller when finishing second to Manjakani at Newton Abbot but John Ferguson should have a good idea where he stands with that one compared to MONDLICHT. The latter was only third on his hurdling debut at Newton Abbot when odds-on but the yard's novices often need a run and better is expected today. Gran Maestro wasn't beaten far at Bangor last time and also enters the reckoning but winning pointer Ballydague Lady may need a longer trip.
Conducting 11-2 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered 1st, headway after 4th, challenged 3 out, not fluent 2 out, beaten before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Manjakani (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Hazzaat (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in rear but in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 10l behind Finding Your Feet (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Aug.
Gran Maestro (USA) 7-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, prominent, left 2nd 4 out, every chance last, held flat, stayed on close home, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Heist (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Aug.
I No Understand (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced from 3 out, last of 5, 39l behind My Direction (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Black Bizarre (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold early, driven and close up 3f out, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 8l behind Probably Sorry (11-0) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jul.
Mondlicht (USA) 4-7fav (11-0) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Classic Colori (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Ballydague Lady (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Soon mid-division, headway into moderate 4th before straight, 5th 3 out, no extra 2 out, 10th of 20, well behind Pops Well (11-2) at Cork 3m mares mdn hunt chs in Apr.
Russian Link 16-1 (8-13) Led 3f, tracked leader until ridden halfway, soon in rear, detached, 7th of 9, well behind The Young Master (8-12) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec (flat).
