in touch, headway to track leader after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed between last 2, ridden and held when not much room flat
held up and behind, headway 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, every chance when carried right flat, just held
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led between last 2, hard pressed, hung right flat, just held on
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, driven and outpaced next, soon no impression
raced keenly in mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, ridden and weakened last
chased leader to after 4 out, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
close up on outside, outpaced 2 out, never on terms
in touch, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no impression when edged left between last 2
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, lost place 4 out, soon behind
always behind
always behind, tailed off from 2 out
Top Pack can come out on top for the locals, with Qualitair Pleasure, Fortune's Fool and Saucy King seen as potential dangers. Nicky Richards is always a trainer to be feared here, and the Greystoke handler can collect with Top Pack who can finally open his account in a race that will take little winning. The six-year-old raced up with the pace on each of his last two outings, at Cartmel and Perth, but ran out of steam both times. He was maybe a bit too keen with the aids on and with a bit more restraint here, he can benefit from the slight drop back in trip. He is certain to go over fences soon, and indeed was entered in a chase at Hexham this Saturday. Qualitair Pleasure won under Keith Mercer at Market Rasen in June but has struggled a bit off his higher mark since. Nevertheless in this line-up he could easily figure, while Fortune's Fool earned his Sedgefield victory in the stewards room after the winner was kicked out. Saucy King will need the run no doubt, but any support for the five-year-old, who has shown little to date, would be interesting. However, in a race in which bets should be kept on the small side, we plump for Top Pack.
Qualitair Pleasure 16-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Mr Mischief (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Saucy King 12-1 (10-11) In rear, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 6, 21l behind Fair Spin (11-0) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Mar.
Not A Trace (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) In touch, ridden and effort after 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Muckle Flugga (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Apr.
Nifty Roy 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 42l behind Good Investment (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
Drumossie (AUS) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, short-lived effort approaching 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Catchthebug (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Jul.
Munaawesh (USA) 4-1 (10-4) Held up, some headway approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 32l behind Ela Re (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gd in Aug.
Top Pack (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Led, mistake 3rd, pushed along and headed 8th, soon lost place, 4th of 6, 30l behind Drumbeater (10-4) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Aug.
Fortune's Fool 11-2 (10-9) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden to lead approaching next, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Rathlin Island (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Sept. Later awarded race.
