mid-division, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, easily
tracked leader and keen, ridden 3f out, soon driven and weakened
mid-division, led 4f out, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up, headway 4f out, one pace final 2f
slowly into stride and behind, headway 4f out, kept on well final furlong
tracked leader, outpaced over 5f out, no danger after
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when beaten inside final furlong
led, headed 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, driven and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, never on terms
MOONWALKING may have been let in lightly and he is preferred to Al Azy and Ursis. Jedd O'Keefe has engineered a couple of victories in weak novice hurdles of late and having seen his flat rating plummet over the last year or so, the booking of Jamie Spencer looks highly significant tonight. Al Azy won well at Yarmouth. He has performed creditably with more give underfoot so he should not be discounted from a follow up. Ursis boasts course and distance form. He was given a positive ride last week so we can expect similar tonight. Gifted Leader is still a maiden though he has been campaigned against better opposition in the past. Directa's Digger was predictably outclassed at Nottingham though has won here previously. Bollin Greta was a beaten favourite on seasonal reappearance but she could still be on the upgrade and connections will not be too worried about the current state of the going. Monaadi put up his best ever effort on turf at Leicester recently and may well have won had his inexperienced rider not dropped the whip. A modest race that can go the way of the much improved Moonwalking.
Gifted Leader (USA) 28-1 (8-9) Towards rear, effort well over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 9l behind Spring Jim (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Directa's Digger (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 5, 11l behind The Betchworth Kid (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (3) sft in Aug.
Ursis (FR) 6-1 (8-12) Close up, led after 4f, driven and headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Clear Reef (9-2) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Bollin Greta 3-1fav (9-10) Mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind That'll Do Nicely (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Twilight Dawn 10-1 (9-1) Prominent, chased along 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Shekan Star (8-4) at Beverley 1m 2f fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Royal Premier (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Pushed along from start, never travelling in last pair, last straight, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Cossack Prince (8-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Drawn Gold 9-4fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 5f, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Trip The Light (9-3) at Catterick 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
McQueen (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden along over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 8l behind Let It Be (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcap (5) gd in Aug.
Bold Adventure 6-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, kept on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 20l behind Kings Maiden (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Moonwalking 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Monfils Monfils (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (5) gf in Mar.
Monaadi (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Led, ridden and joined over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, held when rider dropped whip towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Comrade Cotton (8-7) at Leicester 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Rudry World (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden on inside 2f out, not clear run throughout final furlong, 9th of 11, 9l behind Zalkani (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Al Azy (IRE) 8-1 (7-11) Made all, set steady pace, quickened over 1f out unchallenged, won at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Lady Pilot (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
