held up, hit 1st, headway after next, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace flat
led to 2nd, chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken flat
keen, in touch, lost place 3rd, soon behind
took keen hold, always towards rear, tailed off when refused and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
with leader, led 2nd, driven out
chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened
behind when jinked left, unseated rider 2nd
There are some interesting newcomers here including Wise Choice, Surely Truly and Fleur Babe but Archimboldo sets a fair standard and will be tough to beat so he gets the vote. The selection has improved with each start, was good value for his win at Bangor last time and is taken to supplement that success here. Bathwick Emma has regressed on the level of late and is far from certain to stay over timber so may be best watched first time out over hurdles, while Wise Choice should have little problem with the trip but was not that good on the flat and will need to improve dramatically for the switch to the winter game. Surely Truly was one of the highest rated of these on the level and could be of interest if staying, while Fleur Babe is probably best watched on his racecourse debut. There are no such problems with lack of experience for Archimboldo though and he is taken to give weight away all round.
Archimboldo (USA) 5-2 (10-3) Chased leader, left in lead 5th, headed next, led again approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf beating Monashee Grey (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Caribbean Nights (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always well behind, tailed off when mistake 3rd, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Is It Me (11-8) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf, 16 ran.
Mad Professor (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, steady headway to chase leaders before 3 out, weakening when blundered next, 6th of 14, 9l behind Marc of Brilliance (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf.
Wise Choice 7-2fav (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, went 2nd 2f out, carried slightly right from over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 11, nk behind Lolla's Spirit (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol (Flat).
Bathwick Emma (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Torquemada (9-0) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf (Flat).
Bite Un Fight 100-1 (10-5) Always well behind, 7th of 16, well behind Is It Me (11-8) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf.
Fleur Babe Alflora filly out of Flat and hurdles winner Tui.
Surely Truly (IRE) 11-2 (8-2) Keen hold, tracked leaders on outer, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Piano Player (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm (5) pol in Jul (Flat).
