pushed along from start to lead, narrowly headed 3 out, chased winner until 2 out, weakened into 4th at the last
chased leader until 7th, handy 3rd, mistake 12th, rallied on inside into 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge last, every chance run-in, no extra inside final 100 yards
reluctant lining up but well away, chased leaders and bit keen, pushed along before 4 out, ridden out wide when not fluent 2 out, plugged on into remotes 3rd at the last
close 3rd, went 2nd after 7th, led 3 out, strongly pressed from last, battled on gamely run-in to assert inside final 100 yards
held up in rear, outpaced and struggling 12th, tailed off
Marracudja has a decent strike-rate considering he’s never been straightforward. Golden Taipan won twice at Perth in June but has struggled off higher marks since. NORTHERN BOUND beat Fat Sam almost 10 lengths at Bangor. The runner-up is 9lb better off here and now fitted with cheekpieces but may still struggle to reverse the placings. Le Cameleon might need this run and would also have preferred a softer surface.
Golden Taipan (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 12th, blundered 4 out, ridden after 3 out, joined 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Vision Des Flos (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Northern Bound (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-7) Mid-division, went 3rd 10th, pressed leader 2 out, going well and led approaching last, ridden briefly run-in and went clear, comfortably, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Fat Sam (11-13) by 9 1/2l, 6 ran.
Fat Sam 15-8 (11-6) Reluctant to start and led in, well enough away, held up last, closer tracking leading trio 4th, went 3rd approaching 13th, ridden and one pace approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, 10 3/4l behind Vision Des Flos (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Le Cameleon 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, slow jump 3rd, not fluent at times early, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Corran Cross (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Marracudja (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, closed on outside 8th, mistake 11th, struggling 3 out, well held 4th from 2 out, 4th of 5, 16 1/2l behind Zamparelli (10-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
