held up in 3rd place, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, closer briefly 6th, headway on inside into narrow 2nd after 3 out, ridden and no impression between last 2
chased winner, closer briefly 6th, lost 2nd narrowly bend after 3 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd between last 2
made all, went clear 2nd until steadied briefly 6th, in command between last 2, always just doing enough, driven out, unchallenged
always last, mistake 3rd, closer briefly 6th, driven along before 8th, tailed off when fell 2 out
Ontopoftheworld has got his act together lately but will have to defy a further 7lb rise in a higher grade to complete the hat-trick. I’DLIKETHEOPTION (NAP) also arrives in peak form having won as he liked here last month. Suited by good ground, Jonjo O’Neill’s top weight looks the one to be on. It was heavy going when Valhalla won at Exeter and Wincanton at the start of the year and he’s having a first run since April while it’s hard to see No No Cardinal winning this from 25lb out of the handicap.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Held up, headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear before last, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep beating King's Reste (11-0) by 6l, 4 ran.
Valhalla (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Tracked winner, 3rd when not fluent 6th, not fluent again 4 out, soon outpaced, blundered and lost place next, weakened 2 out, last of 5, 22 1/2l behind Azzuri (11-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Ontopoftheworld (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, led before 5th (water), steadied pace after next, shaken up before 2 out, soon clear, kept on strongly, won at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Mumgos Debut (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
No No Cardinal (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 6 lengths 4th when fell 8th, at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
