mid-division, chased leaders 2nd, mistake 4th, not fluent next, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, kept on from 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, took closer order 3rd, weakened 2 out
in rear, tailed off from 4 out
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced
led, headed 3rd, led again 2 out, driven out
with leader, led 3rd, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on
towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 4th, outpaced 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on from next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, outpaced after 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
The usual advice about watching the market applies in this race and with a test of stamina likely; KUDU COUNTRY is our pick with Monsieur Jourdain and Dr Jameson as the alternatives. Tom Tate's charge ran in some fair staying handicaps on the level this summer under fairly enterprising tactics and with the likelihood of plenty of deadwood in the field; we are hopeful that he can grind his rivals into submission. Monsieur Jourdain can bring experience into play. Regrettably, the form of his second at Kelso took something of a major knock at Aintree this weekend when the winner failed to fire. Dr Jameson made all to win a maiden at Beverley but seemed invariably to be fighting a losing battle against the handicapper all season. Shifting Gold was something of a Hamilton specialist though did win his flat race at this venue. Bocamix won at Marseilles when trained in France and has now switched to the Andy Crook stable. Orsippus has had a spell on the flat in staying handicaps though would need to have improved upon the form he exhibited at the Perth festival. Veronica's Boy isn't exactly bred to be a jumper though George Moore has a good record with his crossover performers and Graham Lee has been booked. Kate Walton has already had a couple of winning novices this term so a market check is advised in relation to Dream Risk. Sydney Cove is best of the rest. Plausible cases can be made for a number of the newcomers and we think that Kudu Country is the most open to progression on what we have seen so far.
Bocamix (FR) (9-2) won at Clairefontaine(FR) 1m 3f stk in Aug beating Numerologue (8-11) by nk, 9 ran (flat).
Dr Jameson (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In rear, kept on never nearer, 6th of 12, 7l behind Intersky Charm (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (flat).
Herawati 33-1 (9-3) Always towards rear and ran green, last of 8, well behind Chapter And Verse (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (4) gf in Apr (flat).
Hunting Magic 100-1 (10-12) Behind until stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 8th of 15, 24l behind Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Igneous 100-1 (10-5) In touch, outpaced 4 out, under pressure when blundered when and unseated rider next, in a race won by Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd, 15 ran.
King's Counsel (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 12l behind Red Expresso (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Monsieur Jourdain (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Trumpstoo (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf.
Orsippus (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Badly hampered and brought down 1st, in a race won by Berriedale (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep, 11 ran.
Shifting Gold (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) Soon led, headed over 2f out, rallied and led again inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep beating Shekan Star (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran (flat).
Spruzzo 40-1 (8-10) Raced wide mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened 2f out, 13th of 15, 11l behind Urban Space (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr (flat).
Sydney Cove (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, disputing 2nd when stumbled badly 2 out, not recover, 4th of 9, 12l behind Ravati (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf.
Veronicas Boy 11-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 16, 11l behind Twist Again (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug (flat).
Dream Risk (FR) (8-8) 6th of 18, 8l behind Honeyblood (9-1) at La Teste De Buch(FR) 1m 1f stk in Jun (flat).
Gwyre (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Mistakes, soon struggling in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 26l behind Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Madam'x 16-1 (8-3) With leader, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 14l behind Twist Again (9-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep (flat).
Kudu Country (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 4l behind Acquisition (8-12) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Sep (flat).
