led until approaching 4th, led again 6th, headed 8th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led approaching 4th, headed 6th, led again 8th, headed before 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on strongly into 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up in touch, mistake 1st, slow 4th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on into 2nd after 2 out, under pressure last, no extra closing stages
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, driven to lead approaching 2 out, ran on strongly
Scented Lily probably ran her best race so far when a close third at Warwick last month. The four-year-old Sheriff Garrett did likewise at Hexham last week and looks a stayer in the making. He is making his handicap debut over hurdles but has never won on Turf. BALLYDUN OSCAR will have to defy top weight but looks up to the task as he never looked in any danger at Newton Abbot in July and has already won over 3m between the flags. High Noon may do better in handicaps but is having a first run since April and Whispering Affair has an even longer absence to overcome and has changed stables.
Ballydun Oscar (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Held up behind leaders on outside, not much room after 6th, soon pushed along and switched right, led before 2 out, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (4) gd in Jul beating Hoover Fever (10-4) by 3l, 8 ran.
High Noon (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, hampered 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, dist behind Secret Investor (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f (4) gs in Apr.
Whispering Affair 14-1 (11-5) Prominent and disputed, jumped right and bumped with rival 1st, 2nd from 6th, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra in moderate 5th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 29 1/4l behind Poli Roi (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn sft in Nov.
Sheriff Garrett (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, every chance after last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Glen Roe (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Scented Lily (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Kristal Hart (10-2) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
