held up mid-division, weakened between last 2
held up mid-division, soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led last 150 yards
tracked leader, led 6th, hung right and headed last 150 yards, weakening when lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
held up mid-division, unseated rider 1st
led to 6th, weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, keen, jinked approaching 4th, soon with leader, one pace from last
held up, headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up behind, pushed along approaching 3 out, some headway, never on terms
keen early, held up in rear, soon pushed along, well behind when ran out 6th
Nonrunner
It is hard to get away from McMURROUGH here and he gets the vote over Alvarado and Broadway Star. The selection showed some useful form in bumpers and he has been racing in some pretty hot company since then, including when last seen out at Aintree in April. This looks a good opportunity for him to get his head in front and providing he is fit enough to do himself justice, he should take plenty of beating. Alvarado is another making his seasonal reappearance and he has certainly shown enough in bumpers to make him interesting. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and he is one to note in the market. Broadway Star has ability but his attitude has not impressed in his last two starts when he has looked a little reluctant to give it his all. Sunset Song was well beaten on her debut in a bumper at Perth back in July so she will need to improve dramatically to get competitive. The Nicky Richards-trained Dowd's Destiny has been off the track since February 2008 so it is fair to assume that he might need the run and he is probably best watched on his hurdling bow. We will stick with McMurrough as the confident choice to lead them home.
Alfie Bet 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place over 5f out, tailed off over 3f out, 6th of 7, well behind Now This Is It (11-6) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jul.
Alvarado (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Soon led, headed halfway, close up 3f out, ridden in 4th entering straight, soon weakened, 17th of 25, 45l behind Imperial Cascade (10-4) at Punchestown 2m nhf sft in Apr.
Cocoa Key (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led, hit 3rd, headed next, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Now This Is It (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Flashy Max 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 12, 40l behind Skylancer (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
McMurrough (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 11, 31l behind El Dancer (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Noble Vic (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Prominent, ridden 3f out, soon driven and no extra, 7th of 16, 22l behind Karmadice (10-8) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct '08.
Scrum V 50-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind Carrolls Cross (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Steel Giant (USA) 33-1 (10-9) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 15, 40l behind Fine Call (10-11) at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gf in Sep.
Tipsy Indian 28-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, jumped slowly 5th, wandering 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 7th of 9, 31l behind Stumped (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell (4) gd in Aug.
Weetfromthechaff 18-1 (10-6) Raced keenly in touch, went 2nd before 5th, lost place after 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 6, 37l behind Nordwind (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Aint She The Lady (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Elzahann (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Sunset Song 13-2 (10-9) Held up mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, kept on from over 2f out, no impression, 4th of 9, 34l behind Battle Group (11-0) at Perth 2m NH flat (5) gd in Jul.
Arran Law (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway and prominent over 6f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 16, 13l behind Malakai (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Broadway Star (FR) 5-4fav (10-11) Mid-division, smooth headway and every chance 3 out, ridden and blundered next, gradually weakened, 4th of 14, 11l behind Fortysecond Street (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Dowd's Destiny (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up and keen, hit and weakened from 5th, 9th of 15, 36l behind Frank Crow (11-3) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb '08.
