mid-division, well in touch 7th, mistake 4 out, went 2nd final bend, looked held when mistake last, well held flat
chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 8th, closed 10th, not fluent 3 out, soon lost place
held up towards rear, mistake 9th, hampered next, headway before 4 out, mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, mistake 10th, went 2nd 4 out, led after 2 out, drawing clear last, stayed on well
raced awkwardly, led, big and awkward 4th where headed, weakened after 3 out
with leader, led 4th, headed after 2 out, lost 2nd final bend, 3rd and no impression last
jumped slowly at times, soon well behind, pulled up before 4 out
OPENING BID (NAP) was a ready winner over course and distance earlier in the month and his form suggests that he shouldn’t be too inconvenienced by the rain that is forecast to hit the track. Norley must be respected from a stable that is carrying all before it in recent weeks while Gold Link makes a quick return to the racecourse having unseated his rider at Warwick on Thursday in a similar affair. Magistrato is not without his quirks but he almost nicked a race against superior opposition at Newton Abbot so cannot be ruled out here if he decides to cooperate with his rider.
Sophosc (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Young Fire (9-6) at Haydock 1m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Opening Bid 9-4 (11-13) Raced keenly in close 3rd, left 2nd at 9th, led 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Lakefield Flyer (12-0) by 12l, 5 ran.
Norley (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Midfield, headway before 9th, close up in touch with leader 3 out, soon ridden to press leader, disputed lead 2 out, sustained duel with rival approaching last, kept on run-in, just outbattled near finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Midnight Jewel (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Gold Link (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Close up when unseated rider 2nd, at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Magistrato (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Led, pulled hard early, not fluent 2nd, going well home turn, hard pressed last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Guinness Affair (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Go Fox 6-1 (10-11) Led, already headed when fell 9th, at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Tremwedge 22-1 (10-7) Not always fluent, midfield in touch, driven and outpaced before 4 out, tailed off before 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Opening Bid (12-0) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
