tracked leader, every chance when mistake 2 out, soon led, headed after last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, hampered next, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 2 out, never on terms
keen in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, fell next
mid-division, under pressure 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, weakened 4 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 4 out, hard driven after next, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, chased leaders approaching last, stayed on strongly closing stages, never reached winner
held up in touch, chased leaders 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, led after last, soon clear, ran on well
prominent, hard driven 3 out, lost place next
led, headed after 2 out, rallied and every chance last, stayed on under pressure towards finish
chased leaders, lost place before 3 out
held up in rear, struggling 4th, never dangerous
keen in touch, weakened 3 out
This looks as wide-open as ever with a handful of progressive hurdlers competing. MOABIT may prove best of them having won for the fourth time in succession with a facile victory at Newton Abbot last month. The Nicholls charge looks to have stronger form than Red Tornado and Rejaah, who also bid for five-timers but Gwafa drops down in class off a 7lb higher mark having won the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock back in May. Hassle and Cornborough are chasing hat-tricks with the latter preferred having won a handicap at Aintree while Mountainside beat several of these when scoring at Uttoxeter and is upped 8lb. Curious Carlos has won twice this year and is not out of this either.
Gwafa (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May beating All Set To Go (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Curious Carlos 6-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway when hampered 4 out, 3rd 2 out, unable to challenge, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Byron Flyer (10-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Rejaah 5-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, ran on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Jun beating Instant Karma (11-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
Regulation (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up, in mid-division, headway after 6th, strong challenge before last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mountainside (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Doubly Clever (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up, in rear, switched left and headway after 2 out, switched right and went 3rd last, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Mountainside (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Cornborough 11-2 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, 2nd going well from next, not fluent last, driven flat, led close home, won at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gs in Jun beating Don Padeja (11-5) by nk, 9 ran.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) In touch, headway 5f out, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 10 3/4l behind Snow Prince (10-0) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up, in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, one pace and beaten before last, 5th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Mountainside (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Moabit (GER) 1-12fav (11-5) Led, headed before 3rd where not fluent, tracked leader, led again 4 out, drew clear on bit before 2 out, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (3) gs in Jun beating Arthur Burrell (10-12) by 19l, 4 ran.
Red Tornado (FR) 6-5fav (12-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd before 5th, led 2 out, not fluent last, pushed out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Devon Drum (11-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Hassle (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, challenged 2 out, soon led, not fluent last, quickened away towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul beating Miss Crick (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Iftiraaq (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led briefly 3f out, chased leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, held when carried left over 1f out, 4th and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 4l behind Green Light (8-8) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gs in Jun.
Mountainside 14-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, challenged after 3 out, led before last, strongly pressed, stayed on well and pulled out extra towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Regulation (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
King Muro 9-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, closed 5th, outpaced 3 out, well beaten before next, 4th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Eddiemaurice (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Robinshill (IRE) 8-15fav (12-3) Tracked winner, challenged 2 out, outpaced before last, soon ridden, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Samoset (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
