tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd 3rd until last, weakened flat
led, driven flat, headed last strides
in rear, not fluent 3rd, soon pushed along, well behind 5th, tailed off
chased leaders to 3 out
held up in rear, never in contention
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, unable to quicken before last, kept on same pace flat
raced keenly, went prominent after 2nd, jumped slowly next, weakened after 5th, tailed off
prominent, ridden 5th, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd last, soon edged left in behind leader, straightened up, ran on well under pressure to lead last strides
behind, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from last
mid-division, dropped rear approaching 5th, shaken up when not fluent 2 out, no impression
Miss Ladybird comes here looking to complete a hat-trick of wins after a spell in the doldrums, but we prefer the claims of KING HIGH while also including Commit To Memory on the shortlist. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding looks the progressive sort, and may find with seven pounds less to carry than Miss Ladybird this is the perfect opportunity to follow up a win at Hereford last time out. It's a step up in grade, but step down in trip, and we expect him to be ridden fairly prominently for much of the race. Miss Ladybird has shot up the weights following the recent wins over this sort of trip. 11 runs without looking likely to win were followed by the double; Aiden Coleman did the steering for both of those and is back in the saddle today. Whether she can win again carrying so much though is the nagging doubt. Commit To Memory was runner up here last time out on his British debut, and looks to have this sort of contest within his scope. He'd made little impression hurdling in Ireland, but he's had an encouraging start here, albeit nothing's come out of that race to win. It may be a match up between Miss Ladybird and King High, with preference being for the latter.
Semi Detached (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4th, soon chasing leaders, led after 3 out, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug beating He's Cool (11-4) by 5l, 13 ran.
Miss Ladybird (USA) 10-1 (11-10) Made all and raced wide, kept on well from last, won at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf beating Peaceful Means (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Winged Farasi 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 4f out, went 3rd next, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Front Rank (10-13) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Aug.
Massams Lane 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outside, headway 4th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out, 6th of 14, 18l behind Weather Front (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Commit To Memory 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, chased clear winner 3 out, edged right towards finish, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Calaficial (10-11) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Uffa Fox (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 8th of 18, 32l behind You're The Top (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Pavo (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Slowly away, towards rear, moderate 9th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 10th of 15, 42l behind Major Decision (11-4) at Tramore 2m 4f Amateur Maiden Hurdle (6yo+) gf in Aug.
Planetarium 28-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, 4th and weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Maria Antonia (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 13 ran.
King High (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up in touch and keen, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf beating The Snail (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Anfield Road 25-1 (10-8) Held up, soon chasing leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 17l behind Rathrockscourt (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf.
Feeling (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) In touch, jumped right 2nd, went 2nd after 3 out until approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 13, 24l behind Truly Fruitful (10-12) at Southwell 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Won More Night 8-1 (11-7) Chased winner, weakened 2 out, 9th of 12, 50l behind Miss Ladybird (11-10) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
