prominent, shaken up and every chance 3 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened approaching last
pulled early in touch, saddle slipped and pulled up before 3rd
chased leader, shaken up to lead 3 out, drew clear from 2 out, easily
mid-division, jumped slowly and hit 2nd, lost touch 3rd, hit 4th, tailed off
held up, jumped badly left throughout, ridden 3 out, no impression
led, pecked 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace
held up, lost touch 3rd, soon behind, pulled up before last
Recent course and distance winner Just Mossie was good value for that success and looks the pick of Bill Turner's two runners ahead of Goldhill Fair but it is hard to get away from Bathwick Man who gets the vote. The selection was nothing out of the ordinary on the flat for Rod Millman and showed little on the level on two starts for David Pipe but the son of Mark Of Esteem showed much improved form once sent hurdling. Largely unconsidered before his debut in a maiden hurdle here last week, Bathwick Man jumped better as the race went on, going clear on the bit from three out and winning with plenty in hand. Charlie Egerton's Highland Laddie was of a similar level of ability on the flat to the selection but lacks any hurdling experience so he may be best watched, while Too Much To Do got no further than the first flight on his debut here behind Bathwick Man and is probably best left out of calculations. David Pipe's gelding does have to carry a penalty for his success earlier this month but he is taken to do so successfully.
Bathwick Man 11-1 (10-9) Chased leader, went left 3rd, not fluent next, led after 3 out, soon clear, blundered last, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft beating All Lit Up (10-12) by 26l, 10 ran.
Just Mossie 33-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and chased leader approaching 2 out, beaten when left clear last, won at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Festival Dreams (10-12) by 11l, 9 ran.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Always prominent, chased leader 4th, reminders after next, not fluent 2 out, stayed on under strong pressure flat to lead near finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd beating Karashar (10-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Goldhill Fair 80-1 (8-5) Chased leaders over 4f, 13th of 16, 27l behind Mwindaji (8-12) at Leicester 7f 2yo sll (6) gf in Sept (Flat).
Highland Laddie 4-1 (9-7) With leader, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 10, 10l behind Caffari (8-8) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Karashar (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Led, ridden flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Ruff Diamond (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Too Much To Do 100-1 (10-12) Hampered 1st and fell at the 2nd in race won by Bathwick Man (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft, 10 ran.
Wise Hawk 16-1 (9-7) Held up 4th, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Bushy Dell (8-6) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) pol (Flat).
