towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 9th, behind when pulled up before next
held up, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, 3rd and beaten when blundered last
prominent, outpaced 5 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
towards rear, fell 4th
towards rear, headway 5 out, ridden next, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 5 out, soon weakened
close up, led 3rd to 5th, led again 2 out, stayed on strongly
keen in rear, headway 8th, weakened next
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace from next
led to 3rd, led 5th to 2 out, every chance last, one pace flat
Nonrunner
Shulmin is capable of better than she showed last time but that run was disappointing so we'll side with RECKLESS VENTURE; Fred Bojangls is amongst others who enters calculations. Lucinda Russell's runner lacked the pace to be competitive over an extended two miles at Hexham on his return to action but that came as no surprise given his race record and the outing should have put him spot on for this contest. A little rain would improve his chances but he still looks capable of going close. Shulmin had been performing consistently throughout the spring and summer but trailed home when last seen at Perth in July. She has run well fresh in the past and has claims if returning in top form but that latest effort has sown a seed of doubt. Fred Bojangals is no star but he did run well to finish second behind Golden Feather at Sedgefield last time and is a couple of pounds lower this afternoon. Contendo and Luce Bay may be able to improve on the form that they've shown over hurdles and are worth a second look but Reckless Venture represents a more solid option.
Ring Of Beara (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, 4th before halfway, weakened from 6 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by What Odds (10-8) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Luce Bay 100-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Lazy Darren (11-3) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Apr.
Nicky Tam (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened 6 out, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Ballyvoge (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Apr.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 15l behind Norminster (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Shulmin 9-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 15, well behind Bauhaus (11-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Arctic Cove 12-1 (10-7) Always behind, 7th of 9, well behind Red Man Ray (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Neidpath Castle 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 27l behind Reckless Venture (10-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Seek The Truth (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In rear, outpaced 9th, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 26l behind Mister Gloss (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Sept.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, headway and effort after 4 out, led between last 2, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Golden Feather (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 22-1 (10-8) Held up well in rear, mistake, reminders 6th, behind when mistake 9th, 11th of 16, well behind Royal China (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Mr Twins (ARG) 28-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Huckleberry (10-13) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 12 ran.
Contendo 16-1 (9-13) In touch, reminders halfway, weakened 7th, 10th of 12, well behind Lady Sambury (9-13) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May.
