chased leaders on inside, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, led before 2 out, edged right, bumped and headed flat, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th, mistake next, led 3 out, headed before next, every chance when hung left and bumped flat, soon no impression on winner
led, not fluent 4th, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened from next
jumped right at times, chased leader, slow 6th, soon struggling, behind from 8th
held up on outside, not fluent 5th or 4 out, effort 2 out, no impression before last, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, not much room and lost place 2nd, closed 7th, mistake 4 out, led flat, stayed on well, clear towards finish
mistakes in rear, headway 2 out, weakened before last
NonRunner
Cheekpieces had the desired effect on Havana Hermano at Uttoxeter but he may be worth opposing raised 6lb here as there is no guarantee that the aids will work a second time. Forecast is in danger of becoming disappointing while Double W's has been well below par and is tried in cheekpieces. Lake Takapuna won four times in Ireland and has had wind surgery since last seen, as has COOL MIX. Ian Jardine’s grey has gone well fresh in the past and has a solid record on this track so gets a speculative vote as Ardera Cross was beaten when unseating his rider in this 12 months ago.
Forecast 3-1 (11-9) Held up, pushed along and reminders 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 21 1/2l behind Fanzio (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Cool Mix 20-1 (10-1) In rear, some headway when mistake 10th, effort 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 25 3/4l behind Cepage (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Havana Hermano (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 4 out, edged right before last, driven flat stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gs in Aug beating Statuario (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 2nd, soon headed, led 5th until after next, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened after last, 6th of 11, 24l behind King Alfonso (10-8) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Monsieur Co (FR) 9-1 (10-13) Led until 5th, chased winner until 11th, chased leaders, outpaced before 4 out, 5th when pulled up quickly before 2 out, at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Lake Takapuna (IRE) 25-1 (12-1) Mid-division, headway when mistake 10th, well held in 3rd from 3 out, lost 3rd post, 4th of 7, 19 1/2l behind Mr Mcgo (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Fort De L'Ocean (FR) 11-4fav (11-13) Mid-division, not fluent 4th or 5th, headway before 7th, went 2nd next until before final bend, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 26 3/4l behind Sword Of Fate (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Double W's (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, reminders 7th, ridden after 5 out, headway before 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Solomon Grey (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
