raced keenly, tracked leader, led 5th, made rest, hit last, stayed on
led until headed and dropped to 3rd at 5th, ridden and stayed on same pace after 3 out, no chance with leading duo
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd at 5th, chance when hit last, stayed on run-in
chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, hit 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up last, some headway out wide before 3 out, soon no chance in modest 4th, tailed off
Gripper has improved lately but his form still doesn’t compare with that of the other two previous winners. Brief Ambition wasn’t beaten far in a handicap at Uttoxeter after winning at Worcester but RICH BELIEF is preferred. Karl Thornton’s four-year-old, a useful sort as a juvenile when trained by James Bethell, wasn’t winning out of turn over hurdles at Down Royal and can progress again.
Brief Ambition 9-4fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, hung left and held flat, lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Jimmy The Digger (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Gripper 14-1 (11-7) Led, headed before 3 out, still close up when ridden 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Gladiatorial (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in Aug.
Rich Belief 7-2 (11-9) Mid-division and 5th halfway, closer in 3rd after 4 out, not fluent in 2nd 2 out and soon ridden, led shortly after last and kept on well to extend advantage run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn gd in Aug beating Skippin Court (11-4) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sir Chester (IRE) Frammassone gelding out of Knotty Ash Girl.
Pegs Theatre (IRE) (11-11) Ww twrds rr, 11th by 5th, prog in 6th bef 5out, went 2nd from 2out, 3l 2nd & btn when mstk last, kow, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Melk Abbey (11-11) at Dromahane 3m mdn sft in May.
