held up in touch, headway after 2 out, ridden after last, kept to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
with leader, led 6th, blundered 10th, headed 3 out, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
held up in rear, hit 2nd, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, blundered 10th and rider briefly lost his iron, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, no extra flat
led to 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, in 4th when blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
tracked leaders, blundered 11th, led 3 out, soon clear, very easily
held up mid-division, reminders and weakened from 8th, tailed off
Nonrunner
THE DUKE'S SPEECH is our idea of the most likely winner with King Roonah and Ormello put forward as alternatives. The nine-year-old has proved largely disappointing but he seems to appreciate fast ground and has won at this course in the past. In a race where many have questions to answer, he has the fewest. King Roonah won readily at Perth in June though could not follow up that effort on the next day under a penalty. The race probably came too soon. Ormello has always shaped with ability though seemed to lose his way dramatically. His latest effort represented a step in the right direction although it has been a long way back from a formbook perspective. Sunday City is ordinary but the form of his stable's form is anything but. Run To Space looked very useful a couple of seasons ago though has seen his appearances on the racecourse severely limited. The Duke's Speech is hardly bombproof as selections go but with trip and going both favourable, he has as good a chance as any.
Ormello (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, chased winner 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Mibleu (9-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Grand Lahou (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 6th, 6th 4 out, no impression from next, 8th of 16, 18l behind Adajal (10-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd in May.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 9th, headway after 11th, hung left from 3 out, challenged last, led close home, headed last stride, 2nd of 10, nk behind Mad Jack Duncan (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Ohana 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Cheating Chance (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct '08.
Mon Oiseau (FR) 20-1 (9-10) Led, headed 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden 4 out, under pressure in 5th 3 out, 4th and no extra before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 12l behind Killenaule Boy (9-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs fm in Jun.
King Roonah 7-4fav (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, in 4th when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 42l behind Native Coral (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Sunday City (JPN) 9-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, bumped 2nd, mistake and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Radetsky March (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 8 ran.
Run To Space 11-2 (10-2) In touch, chased leading pair 11th, outpaced 4 out, went 15 lengths 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Retrievethelegend (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
Twelve Paces 7-2 (10-0) Held up, tracked leader halfway, hit 13th, effort 15th, ridden from 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Bold Ransom (11-3) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar '09.
