led 1st until after 7th, weakened after 11th
held up, headway 9th, disputing 2nd when mistake 4 out, no impression 3 out, went 3rd before last
in touch, not fluent 11th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out
in touch, mistake 2nd, not fluent 8th, ridden and struggling from 10th, weakened next
tracked leaders, challenged 8th, led next, clear from 3 out, eased flat
in rear, jumped left, headway 4 out, mistake next, weakened 2 out
led until not fluent 1st, led again after 7th, headed 9th, ridden after 11th, no impression on winner from 3 out
Cruise In Style is the only one of these arriving in any kind of form. But she's been confined to hurdles in the main this year and hasn't raced over fences since only finishing third at Southwell in March off a 7lb lower mark. Gold Ingot looked in need of the run at Market Rasen and performed accordingly. He'll strip fitter today but Major Milborne and Aloomomo have an absence to overcome, though haven't been off the track as long as Minellaforlunch. Alf Wright has shown little in three runs for his new trainer so we'll take a chance on a return to form for course specialist RIVER PURPLE. He's now 2lb lower than when finishing second over track and trip in July, though has shown nothing since.
Gold Ingot 14-1 (11-8) Led headed after 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 10, dist behind Viva Steve (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Alf Wright (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, held up and behind, blundered 1st, never a factor, 9th of 10, dist behind Mystifiable (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Major Milborne 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders mistake 6th, slow next, weakened 9th, tailed off when jumped right 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Gray Hession (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
River Purple 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on inside, lost place after 7th, struggling when not much room after 11th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Kodicil (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Aloomomo (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Held up in last pair, steady headway 6th, soon tracking leaders, driven after 3 out, weakened before next, mistake last, 6th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Capard King (10-13) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Cruise In Style (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, challenged last, ridden out hands and heels to lead close home, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Only Gorgeous (10-11) by nk, 8 ran.
Minellaforlunch (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th until approaching 4 out, soon pushed along chasing leading pair, ridden before 3 out, no impression when went badly left 2 out, 3rd of 11, 23l behind Playing The Field (10-13) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in May.
