mid-division, raced keenly, headway approaching 8th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, pushed along and lost place after 6th, toiling next, well behind from 8th, tailed off
held up in rear trio, headway 8th, chased winner 2 out, stayed on, always being held
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent after, well beaten from 3 out
held up in last trio, mistake 8th, not fluent 4 out, headway 3 out, soon no impression
made all, jumped right at times, slow 1st, rider dropped rein briefly flat, stayed on, always holding 2nd
chased leaders, went 2nd before 5th until after 4 out, weakened after next
prominent, ridden 3 out, beaten from 2 out, stayed on same pace
Cage Of Fear has had only two runs over hurdles so is worth a market check making his handicap debut. But BLACK BUBLE (NAP) looks the one to be on after a promising reappearance at Uttoxeter when ahead of Bannixtown Glory. Jonjo O’Neill Jr has a terrific strike-rate on Tony Carroll’s gelding, who was keeping better company last season and is now 2lb lower than his last winning mark. Hattaab has placed twice at Southwell recently and holds Prabeni on the form book. He is a proven stayer but Ahead of The Curve is best watched on his reappearance.
Field Exhibition (IRE) 150-1 (10-13) In rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 3rd, struggling after 4 out, well beaten 12th when fell 3 out, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jul.
Ahead of The Curve (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, mistake and reminder 2nd, soon led, not fluent 5th, headed next, mistake last, held by winner flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Bialco (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Black Buble (FR) 7-1 (11-8) A bit reluctant to jump off and slowly away, held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Clever As A Fox (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Order Of Thistle (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 9th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Highland Hunter (10-7) at Musselburgh 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Prabeni 18-1 (11-10) Towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway after 3 out, weakened before next, mistake last, 6th of 12, 23l behind Sebastian Beach (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Cage Of Fear (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, jumped right throughout, headed approaching and jumped badly right 2 out, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Saint De Reve (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Bannixtown Glory (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Prominent, lost place when not much room before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 12, 11 3/4l behind Clever As A Fox (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Hattaab 13-2 (10-0) Chased winner, ridden and every chance when hit 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra between last 2, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Rhythm Is A Dancer (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Samson's Reach 14-1 (8-12) Edged right and slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Ezanak (9-5) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (6) gd in Jul.