mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden and every chance approaching last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, hard ridden and weakened well before last, pulled up before last
mid-divsion, hit 2nd, ridden along next, weakened after 4th
towards rear, ridden 4th, headway approaching last, never nearer
took keen hold in touch, ridden well before last, soon beaten
held up in mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden and weakened approaching last
pressed leader until well before last, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led approaching last, soon ridden and headed, every chance flat, no extra close home
led, headed approaching last, soon led again, headed narrowly flat, battled gamely to force dead heat post
ridden 4th, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear on outside, headway after 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
in touch, ridden to challenge last, led narrowly flat, joined post
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, weakened well before last
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway well before last, close 4th when mistake and bumped last, kept on same pace flat
PERFECTUS gets the tentative nod in a competitive heat. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding makes his seasonal return today and he is a proven performer on soft ground. His fourth to Lord Villez in March reads well in the context of this race and he gets the nod accordingly. Spirit Calling needs a market check on his return to action, a comment that also applies to Nodform William whose selling form earlier this year probably needs improving on. Despite being 11 the top-weight Texas Holdem is not discounted given his liking for the track and along with Bollin Fiona (better than final Aintree run) and the in-form Delightfully he helps make this a competitive heat. The unexposed Oil Burner and the in-form Fair Spin, himself a multiple course winner, are others to consider very strongly.
Texas Holdem (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, 11th and outpaced 3 out, headway on outside next, chased leading pair before last, stayed on to go 2nd flat, closed on winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Sunarri (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Nodform William 4-6fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd and 4th, ridden going to last, kept on, 4th of 14, 9l behind Along The Nile (11-1) at Catterick 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Bollin Fiona 20-1 (9-13) Mid-division on outside, jumped slowly 2nd, soon in rear and not always fluent, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Alderley Rover (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May, 17 ran.
Delightfully (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Mid-division, switched outside 4 out, headway 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, ridden and stayed on to press winner flat, held near finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Whatdoidowiththat (10-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Oil Burner 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, hit 2nd and unseated rider, in a race won by Club Class (10-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Euro American (GER) 14-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 13, 23l behind Cocoa Key (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
Also Jo 5-1 (11-6) Led and keen, ridden approaching and hit 2 out, headed run-in, no extra, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Fair Spin (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Mister Pete (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Led to 4th, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 12, 28l behind No Supper (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Kempski 33-1 (10-7) Led to 5th, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 46l behind Cocoa Key (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
Perfectus (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 14l behind Extreme Conviction (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Spirit Calling (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and led 3 out until headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Ballyholland (10-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jul '08.
Fair Spin 2-1fav (11-0) Held in touch, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, led run-in, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy beating Leith Walk (10-8) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Manoubi 7-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Ocarina (11-9) at Hexham 2m 4f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Kings Guard (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear and keen, chased leaders after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, 34l behind Cocoa Key (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
