led, not fluent 2 out (usual 4 out), joined last (usual 3 out), ridden and headed narrowly bypassing omitted last, kept on until no extra closing stages
chased leader after 2nd, driven and lost place after 2 out (usual 4 out), weakened after last (usual 3 out), tailed off
held up in rear, headway before 2 out (usual 4 out), upsides last (usual 3 out), driven to lead narrowly bypassing omitted last, stayed on, going away closing stages
early reminders, chased leader to after 2nd, in touch, lost place and behind 3 out (usual 5 out), soon lost touch, plugged on approaching omitted last, just failed for modest 3rd near finish
held up, headway to dispute 2nd before 3rd, outpaced by front pair after last (usual 3 out), soon ridden, no chance after, just held on for modest 3rd near finish
NonRunner
Sudski Star bids for back-to-back victories in this but is 11lb higher than last year. Cubomania was a disappointing favourite at Downpatrick after winning at Perth but a good run from Trongate earlier on the card would boost supporters. HARGAM (NAP) could only muster one pace at Southwell after scoring at Warwick but that was a better handicap than this and John Quinn’s grey looks to be getting the hang of jumping fences. Ifandbutwhynot came up against an in-form rival at Cartmel after winning at Uttoxeter and Ink Master trounced Honourable Gent at Perth last month, though has gone up another pound since beaten at Stratford.
Ink Master (IRE) 5-2 (12-4) Led until settled in 3rd place after 3rd, left in close 2nd at the last, ridden and one pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Ontopoftheworld (10-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders after 6th, went 2nd next, outpaced after last, no chance with easy winner after, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Wells De Lune (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Cubomania (IRE) 7-2fav (12-4) Mid-division, 5th and slight mistake 3 out, no impression and mistake next, no extra, 6th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Jack Slade (11-6) at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Sudski Star (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 4th of 5, 11 3/4l behind Stellar Notion (12-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in May.
Honourable Gent 3-1 (11-12) Mistakes, chased (clear) winner until 5th, chased leading pair, mistake 6th, 3rd and well held when blundered 3 out, left modest 2nd next, blundered badly last, 2nd of 5, 32l behind Ink Master (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Hargam (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and lost 3rd place close home, 4th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Voix D'Eau (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
