tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, mistake last, kept on to lead towards finish
towards rear, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in
led to 3rd, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, weakened from 2 out
mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, led 10th, kept on and headed towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden and headway before last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, weakened before last
with leader, led 3rd, headed 10th, no extra from last
tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
This looks very competitive as several arrive in the peak of form. Chicago Outfit and Ruaraidh Hugh have been multiple winners this summer but most of their victories have come on quicker surfaces and they've shot up the weights. The former has won around here, however, as have Manballandall, Streets Of Promise, What A Steel, Native Optimist and Miss Macnamara. The latter may be the best of that sextet but will have her stamina to prove over this trip. Cowslip is getting closer and has to go on the short-list but JOHNNY GO beat a decent field at Perth last month and is only 4lb higher. He won over 2m6f at Cartmel in August and has also been placed over 3m so the return to a longer trip won't be a problem. Perseid has won his last two at Uttoxeter and Sedgefield but this looks tougher.
Five In A Row (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 4th, lost place after 9th, plugged on again into modest 5th run-in, 5th of 12, 15l behind Wicked Spice (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Streets Of Promise (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, towards rear 4th, struggling 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Manballandall (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Mid-division, effort 4 out, outpaced next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Sealous Scout (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Cowslip 25-1 (8-9) Awkward start and slowly away, always towards rear, 8th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Call It On (9-8) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Chicago Outfit (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led to 1st, with leader, led again 3rd to 6th, regained lead next, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, ridden flat, kept on, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Green Wizard (11-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Ruaraidh Hugh (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up in last pair, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 8th, 3rd next, 2nd before 2 out, challenged next, ridden to challenge between last two, upsides run-in, stayed on to lead 100 yards out, won going away, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Ubaldo Des Menhies (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Total Assets 11-1 (11-4) Behind, headway 7th, never on terms, 6th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Lord Wishes (11-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Fresh By Nature (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 13, dist behind Mr Shantu (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
What A Steel (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led before 6th, ridden before last, pressed and found extra run-in, held on towards finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f (5) gd in Oct beating Sean Airgead (11-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Johnny Go 4-1 (10-0) Chased leader, 1 1/2 lengths down when left in lead 2 out, pressed last, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Sep beating Solway Prince (10-0) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Miss Macnamara (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged 2 out, led last, pressed run-in, kept on, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Willem (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Native Optimist (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Led, headed 8th, tracked leader, led before last, kept on well run-in, won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Distant Sound (10-11) by 35l, 8 ran.
Perseid (IRE) 5-6fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 4 out, clear before last, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Sep beating Pixiepot (11-1) by 6l, 11 ran.
