mid-division, headway 3rd, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
led 2nd, left clear approaching 3rd, hung right bend after 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, left 2nd approaching 3rd, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on same pace
pecked 2nd, always towards rear
held up, headway after 5th, led 2 out, ran on
led to 2nd, chased leader until lost action, pulled up before 3rd
not fluent, mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden when rider dropped whip after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
took keen hold, always towards rear
War At Sea had some respectable form on the flat when with Marcus Tregoning and showed enough on his hurdling debut here last month to suggest that a race of this nature would be within his compass and he gets the vote ahead of Hiawatha and Nikolaiev. The last mentioned represents the yard of Nicky Henderson that always has to be respected with their runners but he needs to improve to trouble the selection. Quarrymount reverts to hurdles after a spell chasing but looks booked for a place at best. Cash On and Stanbury are others to consider but a bigger danger is likely to come from Hiawatha, who has shown a decent level of form in recent starts over timber. War At Sea was easily the best of these on the flat and already looks to be the pick of these over hurdles so he gets the vote.
Hiawatha (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Go Free (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Nikolaiev (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Held up and keen, hit 2nd, ridden and blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 34l behind Sakenos (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Quarrymount 13-2 (10-10) Mistake 1st, held up in rear, ridden and headway after 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off next, 6th of 9, well behind Montys Tan (9-12) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
Sharp Rally (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) In touch, hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Gaelic Roulette (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Cash On (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 5th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Jazz Scene (10-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Stanbury (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, 6th of 14, 10l behind Go Free (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
War At Sea (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Chased leader from 1st, driven and hung left approaching 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Jazz Scene (10-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Pick of The Crop 14-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway 4th, led 6th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Stoneyford Ben (11-6) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gf in Jul.
