held up behind, outpaced after 5 out, stayed on into mid-division from next, never able to get on terms
tracked leaders, effort on inside after 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well from last
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, never a threat, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, close up 4th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, always held
never better than mid-division, behind from 9th, tailed off
mid-division, close up 4th, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, never able to challenge
made most to 4 out, soon lost place, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged after 5 out, led narrowly next, headed 3 out, soon one pace, ridden and no impression before last
mid-division on outside, struggling after 5 out, never near leaders, weakened next
always behind, struggling 9th, lost touch when went right 5 out
in touch on outside, effort 4 out, led narrowly next, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd flat
towards rear of mid-division, some headway after 5 out, outpaced after next, never threatened leaders, weakened before 2 out
with leader, lost place after 5 out, no impression from 3 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
A cracking renewal but we seem no reason to desert last year’s winner MIDNIGHT SHOT. Back to form at Cartmel last month, the ground has turned in his favour again and he is 3lb lower than 12 months ago. Cobra De Mai ended last season in fine form and it would be no surprise if the upward curve continued. Jockey bookings suggest he’s preferred to Marracudja and Sam Red. Golden Birthday steps out of novice company for the first time but has bags of scope with similar comments applying to Newton Abbot runner-up Carlos Du Fruitier. Crievehill is definitely a player with the ground easing all the time but Stratford specialist Comanche Chieftain needs good going and Jovial Joey has more to do than when back to winning ways at Perth.
Marracudja (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, effort after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Hammersly Lake (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Javert (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 12th, led again 13th, clear 2 out, driven and stayed on flat, won at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May beating Kalane (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Golden Birthday (FR) 1-7fav (11-12) Jumped left, made all from sole rival, not fluent 3rd, easily drawing clear when not fluent last, won at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in Sep beating Cotton Jenny (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 2 ran.
Crievehill (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway when not much room 11th, went 2nd flat, stayed on, not quite able to get to winner, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Amber Gambler (10-0) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Connetable (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Close up, reminder before 6 out, soon lost place, tailed of before 3 out, 19th of 20, dist behind Mr Big Shot (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Cobra De Mai (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, closed from 10th, not fluent 13th, ridden after next, left 2nd 4 out, stayed on, not able to challenge winner, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Bigmartre (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Comanche Chieftain (CAN) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 10th, shaken up and came clear before the last, kept up to work run-in, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Dream Bolt (10-9) by 8l, 4 ran.
Midnight Shot 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, made rest, driven and hard pressed after last, ridden turning into straight, held on gamely, all out (2nd last fence omitted on all circuits), won at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Aug beating Raise A Spark (11-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Carlos Du Fruitier (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Never that fluent in rear, plugged on in modest 3rd run-in, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Wolfcatcher (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Sam Red (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, reminders after 14th, weakened 16th, 8th of 11, dist behind Winter Lion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Jovial Joey (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd travelling well before 3 out, led 3 out, joined when left clear at the last, stayed on, driven out, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Workbench (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Strongly Suggested 20-1 (10-10) Towards rear, headway before 5 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Voix D'Eau (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leader to after 6th, weakened before 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Midnight Shot (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Curious Carlos 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 35 1/4l behind Newton Geronimo (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Valadom (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Beeves (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
