tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, driven and lost place before next, ridden and beaten between last 2
tracked winner, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, no impression between last 2, weakened flat
in touch on outside, effort approaching 2 out, driven and one pace between last 2, weakened flat
made all, shaken up before 2 out, ridden between last 2, clear last, ran on, eased near finish, readily
held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon chased winner, driven and outpaced before last, no impression when lost place flat
held up in rear, shaken up between last 2, no impression until ridden and ran on into 3rd flat, finished strongly, nearest finish
tracked leaders on inside, hit 3 out and again next, ridden between last 2, not fluent last, went 2nd and kept on flat, never troubled winner
This Listed race usually unveils a smart novice. It will be interesting to see if Longhouse Sale can bounce back from a first defeat in a handicap at Market Rasen, when he was a long way behind Cardigan Bay. Dan Skelton’s charge is now 12lb better off but PACIFY (NAP) continues to impress in his hurdles career and can take this further step up in grade in his stride. Birds Of Prey has won twice at Taunton so should feel at home around here but he’ll need to find some improvement to figure in a race like this and the remainder have even more on their plate on the evidence so far.
Birds Of Prey (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 6th, travelling well between last 2, stayed on same pace run-in, 6th of 15, 7 3/4l behind Getaway Trump (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Golden Taipan (IRE) 11-8jfav (11-4) Led until 2nd, led 4th, shaken up to go a few lengths clear before 2 out, in no danger after, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Get Back Get Back (10-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Longhouse Sale (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-12) In touch on wide outside, took closer order after 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened before last, 11th of 15, 22 3/4l behind Grapevine (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Pacify 4-9fav (11-8) Led until 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd from 4th, challenged 3 out, led before last, clear flat, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Sep beating See The Sea (11-1) by 8l, 9 ran.
Touchthesoul (ITY) 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 7, 8 1/4l behind Simoon (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Sep.
Aweeminit (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) Held up in rear on inside, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, 2nd next, soon switched left, went left last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Organdi (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Cardigan Bay (FR) 6-4fav (11-3) Chased leader until after 2nd, 2nd again after next, led 5th, headed 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Sep beating Ferrobin (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
