hased leaders to 6th, beaten when mistake 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th, ridden appraching 3 out, weakened 2 out
jumped right, in touch to 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace flat
always towards rear
mid-division, headway and hit 6th, not much room and clipped heel approaching 3 out, led last, driven out
chased leader until ridden after 6th, soon weakened
Cold Mountain can defy a penalty at the expense of Ellerslie Tom, Mac Federal and newcomer Mt Desert, with Orpen Wide worth a mention at least. Cold Mountain sets the standard here, having floored the odds-on Bureaucrat at Wincanton a week ago when he knuckled down to his task well to outbattle the Hobbs hotpot on the run to the line. He would not have to improve much to defy his penalty and should make a bold bid to follow up with conditions in his favour. Ellerslie Tom has been a frustrating sort to follow as he has bags of ability but is let down by his jumping mainly. If Peter Bowen can iron out that kink, he will definitely win races in future but is passed over today. Mac Federal did not look too keen when beaten by the useful Shamayoun at Plumpton and so Andy Thornton will have to at his strongest in the saddle, and of the rest, newcomer Mt Desert is worth noting, but he was a stayer on the Flat and might need further. Orpen Wide was well beaten at his local track Market Rasen last time but might fare better on the faster ground and might sneak a place at a decent price, but Cold Mountain is very much the one to beat.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, chased leader from 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, ridden and led soon after last, driven out flat, won at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd beating Bureaucrat (11-9) by a nk, 10 ran.
Dizzy Future 33-1 (10-12) Soon tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Patman Du Charmil (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Ellerslie Tom 11-2 (10-5) Chased leader, led approaching 2nd until before 3rd, weakened 2 out, 6th of 16, 36l behind Bureaucrat (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Mac Federal (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, chased winner from 6th, no impression when ridden and carried head high from approaching 2 out, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Shamayoun (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Mt Desert 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened over 6f out, last of 11, well behind Bulwark (9-5) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept (Flat).
Orpen Wide (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Held up, hit 4th, some headway next, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 14, 47l behind Victorias Groom (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Shaheer (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 27l behind Mossmann Gorge (10-0) at Southwell 1m 3f sll (6) fbs in Mar (Flat).
Suivez Moi (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up and keen, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Heathcote (11-3) at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
