chased leader, led 3rd, well clear when unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
towards rear, pushed along after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 3rd, lost touch with front pair from 7th, left poor 2nd 2 out
towards rear, reminders after 5th, not fluent 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, prominent 3rd, went 2nd approaching 6th, well held when left in lead and clear 2 out
Armaturk will be fancied to gain the upper hand from the quirky Risk Accessor and former stablemate Le Seychellois. An admirably consistent servant to connections who has fought a losing battle with the handicapper since last winning in 2005. However, that allows him to take his chance in Hunter Chases and this contest looks tailor made for him. He's done most of his racing around the minimum but stays this far and could outclass this field. Risk Accessor has been making the most of his Indian summer and should continue to pay his way but is probably biting off more than he can chew in taking on Armaturk. Le Seychellois never fulfilled his promise for the Ditcheat trainer and it remains to be seen what he'll produce for his new connections. He could be a force to be reckoned with in this sphere if they can find the key but it's hard to see him troubling Armaturk this afternoon.
Armaturk (FR) 33-1 (11-12) In touch when brought down at the 3rd in race won by Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Bay Island (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 15th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, last of 7, 31l behind Terramarique (11-7) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Cordilla (IRE) 20-1 (12-5) (ts) rdn & reluct aft 12; t.o 14, 6th of 8, well behind Lord Of Illusion (12-5) at Weston Park 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Le Seychellois (FR) 7-4fav (12-0) Held up in tch; hdwy 13; led app 2 out til hdd app last; sn btn, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Milton Du Tresor (12-0) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Not Today Sir (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led 2nd, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out and weakened, 4th of 13, 33l behind Happy Hussar (9-13) at N Abbot 3m 3f sll hdl (5) gf in Sept.
Risk Accessor (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Held up, headway 10th, led last, hung right flat, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun beating Kety Star (10-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
