pulled hard, mid-division, no fluent 3rd, headway after next, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, every chance last, one pace flat
held up, headway approaching 6th, led last, cosily
chased leader to 4th, behind for 6th, tailed off
raced keenly, held up, headway after 5th, weakening when mistake 7th
in touch, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, ridden 7th, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 6th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, soon hung right, stayed on one pace
soon well behind, tailed off 3rd, pulled up before 6th
towards rear until brought down 6th
chased leaders, led approaching 6th, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out
raced keenly, soon tracking leaders, went 2nd 4th to 5th, weakening when fell 6th
In a race that lacks strength in depth the Nigel Twiston-Davies runner Pigeon Island is given one last chance to regain the winning thread, Country Affair and Shuil An Burren look to be the main dangers. The selection has put in some solid efforts this season following a victory at Worcester in June. This two and a half miles looks his optimum trip and with ground in his favour he looks the safest option. Country Affair got the better of today's rival Shuil An Burren at Newton Abbot last month, coming home eight lengths clear. It should be a lot closer this afternoon, David Bridgewater's charge should again come out on top. The rest make very little appeal and so we return to Pigeon Island who looks the most likely winner.
Kilrossanty (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 15, 40l behind Im Busy (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Country Affair (USA) 9-1 (10-13) Held up, headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, driven out, won at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug beating Shuil An Burren (11-1) by 8l, 10 ran.
Pigeon Island 6-4fav (11-3) Held up, tracked leaders approaching 2 out, soon led, ridden and headed after last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Middleton Dene (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Benbridge 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Ballyboley (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jun.
Berkeley Court 22-1 (10-5) Held up, hit 5th, ridden and weakened next, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Integration (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (4) gs in Jun, 10 ran.
Mel's Moment (USA) 66-1 (11-0) Held up never dangerous, 12th of 13, well behind Alsadaa (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Shuil An Burren (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Led until after 1st, prominent, ridden and every chance after 3 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Country Affair (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug.
Phone In 40-1 (10-8) Behind until some late headway, never nearer, 5th of 14, 19l behind Cursum Perficio (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Tay Bridge (IRE) 100-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders until weakened over 3f out, last of 6, 31l behind Poppets Sweetlove (8-12) at Warwick 7f mdn aut stk (5) gs in Jun (Flat).
Hum (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, tracking winner when hit 5th, ridden, lost 2nd when mistake last, weakened 1f out, 6th of 18, 33l behind Ouh Jay (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jul.
Jillanory 80-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, struggling 7f out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Programme Girl (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) sft in May '06.
Slight Hiccup 40-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off 6th, 16th of 18, well behind Ouh Jay (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jul.
Xandra Weld Weld mare out of Mia Xandra.
Maisemore 50-1 (10-1) In touch, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Edas (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug, 13 ran.
Gazza's Edition 66-1 (11-1) Hung badly left throughout, bit slipped through mouth, behind from 4th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Country Affair (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
