led, ridden and headed 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, every chance when blundered 2 out, soon lost place
in touch, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, every chance next, challenging on bit approaching last, soon ridden and not run on
held up in rear when unseated rider 1st
held up in rear, headway under pressure approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, soon no impression
in touch, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
in rear, mistake 1st, under pressure halfway, beaten 4 out
always behind, weakened 4 out
always in rear, weakened 3 out
Esporao won a modest claimer at Perth last month but this is a much more competitive affair even though it's only a seller. Surprise Us landed a maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot on his second start over obstacles while Peaks Of Fire has yet to finish out of the frame this year, winning at Uttoxeter in July. Shallow Bay has to be feared in his first run in the grade as he was showing up well in better company last season. CARTER hasn't shown much on the Flat recently but could be worth risking back over hurdles as he was a dual C&D winner in novice company last year and presumably still retains some ability.
Esporao (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Made all, soon well clear, given 2 reminders before last, unchalleged, won at Perth 2m clm hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Molaise Lad (10-10) by 17l, 4 ran.
Carter 4-6fav (11-5) Not fluent, led until 2nd, led after 4th, headed 2 out, hit last, led flat, driven out, won at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul '11 beating Peadar Miguel (10-10) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Peaks Of Fire (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, ridden and headed narrowly last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Finch Flyer (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Aug.
Armagnac Rebel 150-1 (10-7) Took keen hold in mid-division, behind from after 3rd, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Top Wood (10-13) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Herschel (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, struggling before 3 out, never on terms, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Dream Again Boys (11-1) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Reaction 33-1 (9-12) In touch on outside, lost place 3rd, headway 6th, not fluent 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 9l behind Tony Star (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Shallow Bay 20-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, slightly hampered 5th, headway before 2 out, one pace, 6th of 20, 10l behind Cruise In Style (9-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Surprise Us 12-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, led after 2nd, jumped badly left and never fluent, soon given clear advantage, still 20 lengths ahead before 2 out, tired last, just held on, all out but unchallenged, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 4yo mdn stks (5) sft in Sep beating El Toreros (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Joe's Daughter 28-1 (9-13) Mid-division when switched left and pulled up after 2f, in a race won by I'm Fraam Govan (10-13) at Worcester 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in May, 12 ran.
Moonshine Ruby 66-1 (10-7) Not fluent in rear, well behind 6th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
