tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened from next
mid-division, smooth headway to lead 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, soon one pace
whipped round start, tailed off, ran out at paddock bend after 3rd
in touch, smooth headway to lead approaching last, driven out
always towards rear
towards rear, effort approaching 3 out, ridden next, kept on
tracked leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened from next
always towards rear
led, hit 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost touch 4 out
It seems that the four principles here are Touch Of Ivory, Categorical, Last Pioneer and Traprain, with our choice being Traprain. Course and distance winner Touch Of Ivory's recent hurdling win came in a seller but, subsequent to his only other hurdling win - gained in September 2006 - he was rather handicapped out of winning so, at this level, cannot be ruled out. Much as Categorical is racing for the first time this season, his novice hurdle form from earlier in the year makes him a major player, while Last Pioneer comes out very well here on official ratings and comes into this on the back of a solid Uttoxeter run in a similar event. The best-in on official ratings, though, is Traprain and a return to anywhere near the level of his hurdling form of last summer would make him the one to beat. Coming into this in fair chasing form, he is, in fact, the one, we reckon, they all have to beat today.
Categorical 15-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders when blundered next, one pace and no impression approaching last, 6th of 14, 13l behind Dream Castle (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Last Pioneer (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 5th, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, flat, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Elaala (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Lindseyfield Lodge (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Saddle slipped and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Touch of Ivory (10-13) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
Traprain (IRE) 5-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 18l behind Country Escape (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
Royal Game 10-3fav (10-2) Held up, effort under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 12l behind Barney (10-1) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jun.
Cash Flow 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 15, 46l behind Felinious (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf.
Touch of Ivory (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led 2nd to 3rd, led again 5th, clear from last, won at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug beating Kaikovra (11-10) by 8l, 10 ran.
Insubordinate 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 15, well behind Orpen Wide (11-1) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Listentothemusic (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 6th of 12, 31l behind Go Free (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Cadeaux Rouge (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up, pushed along 5th, hit 8th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Thenford Star (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Eden Samas 100-1 (10-5) Blundered 2nd, always towards rear, 8th of 15, 41l behind Felinious (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf.
Effect Me Not (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Never a factor, 8th of 13, well behind Safari Run (11-7) at Down Royal 2m mrs nov hdl gs in Jun.
