tracked winner until after 5th, not fluent 7th, went 2nd again approaching last, stayed on, no impression
held up in last, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, dismounted
made all, ridden after 2 out, went left last, eased near finish
tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, closed 4th, went 2nd after next, ridden 3 out, one pace in 3rd when not fluent last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, hit 6th, shaken up before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Grouse Lodge overcame inexperience to score on his hurdling debut at Sedgefield in May but probably didn't beat much. He can only improve but this is a better race and an extra half-mile probably wouldn't come amiss. We'll take on the likely favourite with QUEEN OF MANTUA, who met trouble in-running in a mares' race at Towcester in the spring but still ran out a ready winner and could be one to follow. Pearls Legend got off the mark at Worcester in July and the runner-up franked the form next time but he has a 7lb penalty to defy here. Firey King and Long Wave have scope but may just need the experience today.
Black Is Beautiful (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 4f out, one pace and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Bold Henry (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in May.
Firey King (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 5th, travelling well before 9th, 5th when hit 3 out, weakened immediately soon after, poor 6th when pulled up after next, in a race won by Aikideau (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Grouse Lodge (IRE) 1-4fav (10-12) Went right start and slowly away, soon led and made rest, mistake 4th, ridden and clear from 2 out, held on towards finish, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f 4yo mdn stks (5) sft in May beating Gwladys Street (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Long Wave (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, ld 2out, strgly press last, ko run-in, won at Kilmallock 3m ire ptp gs in Apr beating Bit Of A Jig (12-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Queen Of Mantua (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, switched left before 2 out, switched right before and led last, kept on and hung left run-in, won at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in May beating Midnight Macarena (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Pearls Legend 2-1fav (11-0) In touch in 5th, went 3rd before 2 out, led soon after, clear from last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jul beating Latest Trend (11-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Card Lover 33-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 34l behind Polly Peachum (10-12) at Warwick 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gd in May.
