tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, hit 6th, driven 4 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, raced with no enthusiasm and ridden most of way, last 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leader, not fluent 7th, challenged 2 out, mistake last, driven ahead towards finish, held on
held up, headway 7th, hit 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up, ridden after 10th, driven into 4th appreoaching 3 out, no impression, weakened 2 out
led, joined and reminder 2 out, headed towards finish, just held
held up in rear, headway 4 out, 3 lenghts down in 3rd when hit 3 out, not fluent next, weakened last
Nonrunner
This is a particularly weak race and it'll be disappointing if INDIAN PIPE DREAM doesn't go very close to landing the spoils; Public Esteem, Chernik and Gratification all have claims of sorts. Our pick is another Steve Gollings runner whose third to 130-rated hurdler last time reads well. He also ran well in novice handicap company here prior to that and although one would expect taking on elders to be tougher it probably isn't, as these are not a convincing bunch. Connections won't have any qualms if the ground eases and he's been in the frame on all three starts over fences. Public Esteem battled on well to score last time but there are a couple of major concerns; one is he's had little over a week to recover from his first run in over a year last time and the other has to be his form over fences which is poor. Furthermore, both wins have come in Newton Abbot sellers and he's yet to show there's a race of this nature within his reach, so he's opposable despite being the only horse arriving here on the back of a win. Chernik has placed on three of his last four starts, with the one disappointment coming in better company, so despite that fact he appears rather one paced there's probably a place to be had with him as all ground comes alike and he stays the trip well. Gratification is bred to make a fair chaser and that alone makes him of interest off a lowly rating although he must show more whilst Chorizo wasn't far from a place here last time and should repeat the dose off a 1lb lower rating. This race is far from the highlight on the card but there's a winner to be found and we think that horse is Indian Pipe Dream.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Prominent, led approaching 4 out, headed and mistake 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Neptune Equester (11-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Indian Pipe Dream (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Pressed leader to 8th, remained in touch, outpaced 10th, ridden and stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair from last, no impression, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Simarian (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Chorizo (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 12, 9l behind North Island (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Gratification 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, ridden after 6th, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 25l behind Vertueux (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
More Like It (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Led, headed after 1st, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 23l behind Arumun (11-1) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Public Esteem (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, always prominent, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon led again, pushed out flat, held on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf beating Amazing Request (9-11) by hd, 15 ran.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 10th, soon ridden, outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 4th of 8, 22l behind Shulmin (10-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Chernik (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division on outside, not fluent 9th, chased leaders 10th, led approaching 4 out, headed next, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Bale O'shea (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
