mid-division, jumped left 2nd, lost place after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 14th
held up in rear, jumped slowly 10th, headway but not on terms approaching 4 out, took 3rd near finish
held up, mistake 11th, ridden and struggling after next, no chance when blundered 4 out
led, ridden after 12th, headed 14th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, pushed along approaching 10th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, led 14th, headed approaching 2 out where mistake, weakened last
always prominent, pushed along before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, edged left, stayed on
always last, jumped slowly 10th, tailed off 12th, pulled up before 14th
mid-division, jumped right 6th, headway approaching 13th, mistake 14th, mistake when hampered 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and edged right before last, headed flat, soon not much room and switched right, not quicken
chased leader 2nd to 11th, ridden after 14th, soon weakened
Andrew Nick, Fantastic Arts, Annie Fleetwood and Learning The Blues look short list material in a competitive handicap chase and we will side with Andrew Nick. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained selection has plenty of room for improvement over fences after just the one try, where he went well to finish runner-up in a typically competitive Perth novices' contest. Trip and ground suit and he turns up here on a reasonable mark so we'll take the plunge. Fantastic Arts is in good nick and acts on any ground with good in the description. His problem may be getting home over this longer trip. Learning The Blues has had a few attempts over the bigger obstacles and probably needs a drop in the weights to win again. Annie Fleetwood is feeling good about life and has two wins and two places from her last four. She is worse off with Ryders Storm on their c&d running last month here and it will be close between the pair. A decent race for the track and Andrew Nick can land it.
Learning The Blues (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 4 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, no impression after, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Brinkmanship (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf in Jul.
Malakiya (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 7, 45l behind Qrackers (10-7) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) In touch, blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Franc Villez (10-12) at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd in Jul.
Lankawi 7-1 (11-1) Chased leader to 4th, losing place when mistake 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 10, well behind Kaldouas (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Annie Fleetwood 4-1 (11-6) With leader, led 4th until after 8th, remained prominent, led again 2 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul beating Ryders Storm (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ryders Storm (USA) 18-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, headway after 13th, hung left flat, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Annie Fleetwood (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Fantastic Arts (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Sarobar (9-13) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Beauchamp Prince (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden and effort 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Millards Lad (10-8) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul '07.
