led until approaching 3rd, stayed prominent, last when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
always prominent, led 3 out, driven and stayed on gamely flat
held up in touch in rear, headway 3 out, chased winner before next, every chance approaching next, unable to quicken flat
took keen hold, held up in close 4th, not fluent 6th, no extra 2 out
took keen hold, prominent, led approaching 3rd, blundered and headed 3 out, no extra from 2 out
Nonrunner
It's a bit of a surprise that Jason Maguire has chosen Cartmel winner Constant Contact ahead of ABSINTHE, who ran a cracker when fourth to Local Hero in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen last month when The Tiddly Tadpole and Alazan were both behind. Adrian Lane's mount can bounce back to winning ways here. Changing The Guard could be found out in this grade from out of the handicap so First In The Queue may be best of the rest despite pulling up at Punchestown in April when last seen.
Constant Contact 11-4fav (11-9) Always prominent, effort 3 out, challenged when not much room on inside between last 2, switched right and led before last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 1f Ladies Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs in Jul beating Hawkhill (11-6) by 14l, 9 ran.
First In The Queue (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, from 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Snap Tie (11-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr, 25 ran.
Alazan (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, weakened after 3 out, 15th of 16, 49l behind Local Hero (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Jul.
The Tiddly Tadpole 28-1 (9-7) In rear, headway before 2 out, disputing 3rd when blundered last, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 17l behind Local Hero (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Jul.
Changing The Guard 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Tarkari (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Absinthe (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on after last, 4th of 16, 4l behind Local Hero (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Jul.