tracked leader, jumped right 1st, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
took keen hold, led, clear after 3rd until 7th, headed when mistake 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent, mistake 7th, soon struggling
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway when mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, easily
in touch, closed 6th, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division on outside, took keen hold, ridden 8th, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner before last
towards rear, stumbled 2nd, struggling 6th, tailed off
Alison Thorpe's Murcar has been holding his form well since landing a maiden hurdle at Towcester in May but he seems booked for a place at best and may again have to settle for minor honours. Kim Bailey's Points of View has shown progressive form of late with wins at Worcester and here in his last two outings but he is probably better over shorter and may not be able to defy his double penalty. Herne Bay should do better dropped back in trip but could do with some help from the handicapper, while The Wifes Pet faces no easy task on her first outing for Lawney Hill having come over from Ireland. Martin Todhunter's Word of Warning is 8lb higher than when a narrow scorer at Perth last month and a better bet looks to be BATHWICK MAN, who gets the vote. David Pipe's gelding showed improved form when a close fourth behind Black Jacari at Market Rasen when last seen in June and he may be good enough to give weight away all round here.
Bathwick Man 4-1fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, no extra final 150 yards, 4th of 11, 6l behind Black Jacari (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Callisto Moon 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 13, 19l behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Whenever 4-1 (11-3) Towards rear, pushed along after 3rd, outpaced 5th, rallied after 7th, hung left from and led approaching last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 2l behind Now This Is It (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Parlesotho (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division on inside, not fluent 4th, outpaced and lost place 5th, jumped left 3 out, stayed on flat, 7th of 14, 20l behind Son Of Flicka (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Mister Benedictine 10-1 (11-10) Towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, 8th of 10, 35l behind Viable (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul.
Points of View 15-8fav (12-2) Held up 5th in touch, smooth headway to lead after 4 out, drew clear on bit approaching 2 out, very easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd beating Frosted Grape (11-9) by 14l, 6 ran.
Murcar 3-1fav (11-4) Led 1st, hit 2 out, headed last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Celticello (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
The Wifes Pet (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) Mid-division, progress from 4 out, soon tracked leaders, led on inner entering straight, clear between last 2, stayed on well, easily, won at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Blazing Tempo (11-7) by 10l, 18 ran.
Word of Warning 11-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, challenging when hampered approaching last, hard ridden flat, kept on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf in Jul beating Danimix (11-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Herne Bay (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Held up in rear, niggled along from 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Mzuri Bay (11-4) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
