in touch, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division halfway, chased leaders over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace closing stages
chased leaders, led 2f out, pressed 1f out, stayed on well
led until 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, stayed on same pace
dwelt held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader, effort 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on well closing stages
mid-division, lost place halfway, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
NEAR KETTERING landed a massive gamble when scoring at Thirsk last month, since when he has also obliged over timber. He has only been put up 4lb for his Flat success and could well prove ahead of the handicapper, although confidence is somewhat tempered by the fact he has yet to sparkle on artificial surfaces. Ad Libitum was well beaten in that Thirsk contest but has since gone well at this venue and has tumbled down to a mark off which he is should be winning. Croeso Cymraeg is very much at home away from Turf and this consistent performer looks sure to be in the shake-up.
Crushed (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, led after 3rd until 3 out, lost 2nd approaching next, weakened soon after, last of 7, 25l behind Storm Rising (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Croeso Cymraeg 3-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway on wide outside over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on when pressed inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Lauberhorn Rocket (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Ad Libitum 8-1 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Home Before Dusk (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Chant (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up in last, switched left over 2f out, kept on but never going pace to get on terms, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Siyahamba (8-9) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Accessor (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, behind, outpaced on outside 3f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Mon Frere (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Lyford (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Euro Implosion (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (6) sft in Aug.
Majestic Stone (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Dwelt, in rear, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 13, 6l behind Deinonychus (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Smart Lass (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Never better than mid-division, lost place and behind over 5f out, no danger after, 12th of 14, 26 1/4l behind King And Queen (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Abouttimeyoutoldme 33-1 (8-7) Dwelt, held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, last of 13, dist behind True Romance (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Near Kettering 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Jaxlight (10-3) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Bogardus (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Dwelt, held up, ridden and well beaten final 4f, 6th of 7, dist behind Euro Implosion (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (6) sft in Aug.
