chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
in touch, ridden and one pace from 2 out
chased winner, outpaced 2 out
held up in touch, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced
held up, ridden after 4th, never dangerous
made all, ridden clear after last
prominent, chased winner from 3 out, ridden approaching last, no impression
chased leaders, pushed along 4th, soon struggling
in touch, ridden after 4th, soon struggling
Oldrik looks the one to be on ahead of Got The Gift, Synisterdexter and Mossman Gorge. Oldrik is on a retrieval mission here after being stopped in his tracks by a blunder two out at Worcester on his latest start over hurdles back in May. He was equally unlucky on the Flat at Bath three weeks ago when ridden by Jamie Spencer, and is strongly fancied to get all the losses back now that he tackles novice company on just his fourth outing in Britain. Got The Gift trotted up in an Irish point-to-point just over three months ago, and is well regarded, so it would be no surprise were he to take a hand in proceedings. Evan Williams is double-handed with Mr Wiseguy and Synisterdexter, and preference is for the latter on jockey bookings, while of the remainder, Mossman Gorge is likely to benefit from the drop back in trip so is worth a mention. However, Oldrik has been given a cast-iron opportunity to make amends and should take it.
Aliba (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Raced keenly and not fluent early, behind, outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, never near leaders, 4th of 8, 28l behind Programme Girl (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Charge It (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, behind from next, 8th of 12, 44l behind Danehill Willy (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Got The Gift (IRE) (12-0) won at Tinahely 3m ire ptp gs in Jan beating Declan's Lad (12-0) by 8l, 18 ran.
Im Alone Again (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Towards rear, no impression and behind from over 3f out, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Lepoushka King (11-9) at Sligo 2m nhf gs in Aug.
Mossmann Gorge 14-1 (10-8) Behind, headway 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace last, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Bauhaus (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Synisterdexter 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, under pressure and wandered after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Mickey Pearce (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Mr Wiseguy 7-1 (10-12) Always prominent, chased winner approaching 3rd until next, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Osprey View (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Oldrik (GER) 11-8fav (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, not recover, 8th of 15, 15l behind General Smith (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
