chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden when challenged next, kept on well under pressure
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened last
chased leaders, lost place 6th, tailed off 4 out
mid-division, headway on wide outside 4th, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on into 3rd before last, never a threat
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace
led until 3 out, weakened after next
held up towards rear, outpaced 6th, headway before 2 out, no impression
behind, weakened 6th, soon tailed off
prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, effort 3 ut, soon lost place
held up, never dangerous
Not much to excite in the first division of this handicap. While LOUGH KENT is probably best at Cartmel he did place here last season and won at Perth in May. He may prove best of a poor bunch with Charlotte Jones taking off 7lb. Artichoke Heart went close at Hereford nine days ago while Pistol is a past course and distance winner. Metro Boulot Dodo is running in only his second handicap and is quite consistent so looks the pick of the remainder.
Metro Boulot Dodo (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake 5 out, soon outpaced, headway 2 out, chased leaders last, stayed on into 3rd, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 11 1/4l behind Holy Motivation (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Lough Kent 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, lost place after next, some progress after 2 out, mistake and rider lost iron briefly last, no impression, 5th of 10, 21l behind The Steward (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Connective (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Held up on outside, not much room 3rd, closed next, lost place before 5th, ridden after 7th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Pistol (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division on outside, lost place before 4th, soon behind, plugged on up the hill after 2 out to take remote 4th before last, 4th of 7, dist behind Beyondtemptation (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Artichoke Heart 14-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, led between last 2, hung right before last, joined and hit last, headed final strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Runasimi River (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Calliope 10-1 (10-0) Dwelt towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Stormin Norman (9-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Cryogenics (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden and struggling from 3 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Hey Bob (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Ex S'elance (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Jumped left, always well behind, 13th of 16, dist behind Paris Protocol (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Epsom Des Mottes (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 3rd until 8th, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Trapper Peak (11-8) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Outback Blue 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division on outside, driven to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 6th of 14, 11 1/4l behind The Herds Garden (11-11) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Elixer (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Towards rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, well beaten after, 7th of 13, dist behind Wild Sam (11-7) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
