held up in touch, hit 1st, hit 5 out, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next, eased last
held up, ridden 4 out, weakened from next
chased leader, ridden after 4 out, soon lost place
held up, headway 8th, led on bend after 4 out, clear after next, wandered between last 2, headed flat, no extra
held up towards rear, prominent 8th, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on from next
held up in rear, weakened after 3 out
led, headed on bend after 4 out, ridden next, every chance after last, one pace
held up towards rear, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden next, stayed on flat, kept on well
held up mid-division, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 5 out
FLYING DOCTOR appeals as the most likely winner of this race with Our Jim and Raining Horse put up as the main dangers. A winner on his first attempt at this trip at Perth three starts back, the ground on his most recent runs has not been in his favour and the forecast going description of good to firm will be in his favour. His ability to see out this staying trip is hindered on an easy ground. Donald McCain will need no reminding that he is currently on the cold trainers list but to his defence one of two of his horses have gone close in recent days. Stamina is Old Jim¿s forte but he remains 9lb higher than his last winning mark while the fact he returns here after a summer break makes him more of a watching brief. Raining Horse, the winner of two of his last three starts over fences, those victories been achieved over two and two and a half miles, is well handicapped over hurdles compared to his chasing mark. He raced off 116 on his final start last season where he was still travelling well before capsizing and off a mark of 108 here warrants respect. Rival Bidder appreciated the step back up to three miles last time when scoring in selling company. Prior to that he had returned from a 21 month absence and quite clearly was benefited for the outing. High Stand Lad returns to hurdling after one attempt at chasing. His best effort was in a soft ground Newcastle handicap last January and given more testing conditions he could pick up a handicap hurdle but Flying Doctor is taken to land the opener.
Our Jim 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 9th, mistake and hampered 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-7) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Flying Doctor 7-1 (10-9) In touch, effort 2 out, ridden last, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mr Preacher Man (11-6) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Sept.
Rare Society (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Prominent, chased winner after 2nd until not fluent 6th, weakened 9th, mistake 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Cresswell Ruby (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Raining Horse (FR) 12-1 (9-10) Prominent, led 11th until joined approaching and fell 5 out in race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Bleu Run (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, progress to dispute lead entering straight, headed 2 out, no extra before last, 7th of 17, 11l behind Jak Dream (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdle hvy in Apr.
High Stand Lad 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, behind when fell 3 out in race won by Astarador (11-3) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gs in Oct, 9 ran.
Mr Maxim 85-40fav (10-7) Chased leaders, led 4th, headed 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Basoda (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Solway Minstrel 22-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, no impression, 4th of 11, 3l behind Mr Preacher Man (11-6) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Sept.
Rival Bidder 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led before last, stayed on flat, won at Southwell 3m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct beating Moon Melody (11-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Team Chaser (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Never a factor, 9th of 13, well behind Ogee (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
