always prominent, chased winner from 6th, ridden from 3 out, no impression after last
chased leaders, losing place when mistake 6th
not fluent, always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 7th
chased leader, not fluent 4th, led approaching next, mistake 2 out, ridden out
in rear until pulled up before 5th
led to before 5th, struggling from next, hampered 7th
held up, never near leaders
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, went 3rd going well after 7th, outpaced from 3 out, edged left and kept on after last
not always fluent, mid-division, reminder after 2nd, plugged on from 2 out, jumped right last
took keen hold, held up, headway after 7th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out, finished lame
mid-division, headway when mistake 7th, 4th and no impression on leaders when jumped right 3 out, weakened and jumped right final 2
held up, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway on inside after 4th, not fluent 6th, soon weakened and pulled up before 7th
prominent, driven along, lonst place after 4th, hard ridden after 6th, no danger after
held up in touch, losing place when mistake 6th, tailed off
Granite Man has gone up another 5lbs despite finishing second last time but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding may do better back over today's trip and he gets the vote to resume winning ways at the main expense of Jackie Boy and Northern Link. The last mentioned won well enough at Fontwell last time but was all out to do so and an 8lb rise for that success looks harsh in the extreme. Mister Completely has given little cause for optimism in recent hurdles starts, while a market move for Irish raider Greenfort Brave would have to be of interest. Earnest may struggle to give weight away all round and a bigger threat may be Jackie Boy, who has done little wrong of late but may want further. The drop back in trip may help Granite Man though and he is preferred.
Earnest (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden along approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 16, 23l behind Pseudonym (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Granite Man (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Keen, mid-division, hit 7th, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, not fluent last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cois Na Tine Eile (10-12) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Northern Link (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway after 6th, led after 3 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, not fluent last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf beating Mid Sussex Spirit (11-8) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Schumann 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, reminders and behind from 6th, no chance when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jodante (11-2) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May, 11 ran.
Jackie Boy (IRE) 5-1fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on to chase winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 14, 21l behind Darab (10-13) at Southwell 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Indian Solitaire (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Always behind, 7th of 13, 30l behind Madam Caversfield (10-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Greenfort Brave (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th 4 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 19, 15l behind Zaffaran Star (10-13) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl frm.
Mister Completely (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden after 6th, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 23l behind Tagula Blue (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf.
