chased leader, led 5th to 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on flat
in touch, ridden 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
behind, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, headway 6th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
mid-division, hit 3rd, weakened 6th
pulled hard in rear, headway 5th, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, driven out
led, ridden when headed and hit 5th, weakened quickly
chased leaders to 6th
in touch, ridden when hung left and every chance 2 out, not quicken flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Salute, Monticelli and Wet Lips are three against the field in this handicap hurdle and the vote is given to the first mentioned. Salute returns to hurdling after a spell on the flat and on the pick of his form over hurdles he should take the world of beating. He is a game sort and with conditions in his favour he sets the standard for the rest today. Monticelli rates the main danger as he won well at Newton Abbott when beating Critical Stage last time. He looks progressive but he is not the most reliable and for that reason we will oppose him. Wet Lips won well over the bigger obstacles when beating Dad's Elect at Hexham last time and he holds solid claims on his return to this sphere. However, although he is effective over this trip he is probably slightly better over further. Kingkohler has been running well lately and is another with place prospects, but in a fascinating contest we will return to Salute who looks the one they all have to beat.
Spectrometer 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place after 3rd, soon behind, 8th of 10, well behind Yes Sir (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gs in Aug.
Flame Phoenix (USA) 25-1 (10-2) Behind, ridden and headway after 3 out, never near leaders, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Yes Sir (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gs in Aug.
Salute (IRE) 10-3fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed after final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Border Tale (10-1) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in May.
Kingkohler (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no extra from last, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Farne Isle (10-3) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) hvy in Jun.
Top Achiever (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Always prominent, led briefly and not fluent 2f out, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Bogus Dreams (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Apr.
Mr Lear (USA) 16-1 (11-6) In touch, headway to dispute lead before 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 4th of 18, 16l behind Francies Fancy (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
Monticelli (GER) 13-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ran on gamely from last, won at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Aug beating Critical Stage (10-8) by 3l, 9 ran.
Wet Lips (AUS) 7-4 (10-11) Led until mistake and headed 7th, tracked leaders, ridden to lead again between last 2, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (D) gf in Jun beating Dad's Elect (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
