led, not fluent 4th, mistake 4 out, not fluent and headed 3 out, no extra in 4th final 100 yards
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, challenged last, soon led, ridden clear towards finish
chased leaders, closed 3 out, 2nd briefly 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, stayed on same pace
held up, well in touch 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leader, hit 4th, led 3 out, headed after last, stayed on same pace
behind, not fluent 1st, tailed off 3 out, jumped left 2 out
This looks far from easy as three recent winners lock horns, all having scored with something to spare last time. Big Time Dancer won more comfortably than the winning distance may suggest at Hexham and is on the upgrade whilst Competition hacked up here in a three-runner affair. Progression is expected from both but now that WEIGHTFORDAVE has finally got off the mark, he may well go on and land a couple more. He was unextended when scoring at Worcester and the overall level of his form makes him the choice. Astute Boy has arguably been a little disappointing on two starts on the Flat since joining Harry Fry and it will be interesting to see how he shapes up over timber against strong competition first time up.
Big Time Dancer (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge 2 out, led between last 2, clear when mistake last, ridden out flat, always doing enough, won at Hexham 2m mdn (5) gd in Jun beating Cathal's Star (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Competition 7-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, led after 3 out, clear next, not fluent last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul beating Icefall (10-12) by 17l, 3 ran.
Weightfordave (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Chased leaders, closed 4 out, went 2nd going well 3 out, led next, very easily, won at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gf in Jul beating Boychick (11-0) by 9l, 8 ran.
Captain Revelation 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 3f out, behind final 2f, 6th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Natajack (9-2) at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Astute Boy (IRE) 6-4fav (9-10) Held up, headway to track leaders over 8f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Fitzwilly (8-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Ray's The Money (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Held up, pulled up and dismounted before 4 out, at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Gamboling Gigi 100-1 (10-12) In rear, jumped left and unseated rider 3rd, at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gf in Jun.
