mid-division, ridden 3 out, headway and edged ahead 2 out, two lengths clear last, kept on run-in
led, jumped left throughout, pushed along 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on, always held
in rear, mistake 8th, asked for effort 5 out, detached 3 out, tailed off
Blackhillsofdakota, a winning bumper and hurdler in Ireland, is having a first run for Alex Dunn but has placed in all three starts so far over fences. Ruthless Article was beaten when falling at the last at Stratford and didn’t jump as well as he had earlier at Aintree when beating the useful Presentandcounting. The latter beat EGLANTINE DU SEUIL by almost four lengths at Stratford 12 days ago so the Nicholls mare appears to have plenty to find on the form book but she was a very smart hurdler and may well have plenty more to offer over the larger obstacles.
Eglantine Du Seuil (FR) 10-3 (10-13) Tracked winner, slight peck 8th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders in 3rd, left 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression before the last, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Presentandcounting (11-10) at Stratford 2m 5f (3) gd in Aug.
Ruthless Article (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Led, niggled along over 2 out and soon pressed, headed before last, bad mistake and fell last, at Stratford 2m 5f (3) gd in Jul.
Blackhillsofdakota (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Led, headed 5th, 3rd 4 out, r in 3rd 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 6 1/2l behind Demain Des L'Aube (12-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f gd in Jun.
