tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd after 2 out until approaching last where mistake weakened after
chased leader, led 3rd, not fluent and headed 2 out, hampered soon after and weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat to lead near finish
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, raced keenly, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
raced keenly in rear, not fluent 5th, soon pushed along, no chance approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, led flat, ridden and headed near finish
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 1st, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 5th, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, went 2nd 5th, not fluent and led 2 out, headed flat, no extra
A seller in all but name and MANATHON is a sporting pick at the expense of Heroes and Lost Our Way. The selection is trained by Alan Jones, who landed something of a touch with a winner at Uttoxeter yesterday afternoon. The horse has gone well when fresh and while still a maiden, this is a weak enough race to make it count. Heroes was useful on the flat though has struggled to convert that ability to hurdling. He did win a claimer on the flat at Brighton during the summer. Lost Our Way has struggled to put a decent run of form together though has McCoy booked in order to eke out any latent ability. Wensleydale Web has won at the course previously albeit in lesser grade and off a much lower mark. Stoic Leader is better known on the level these days though has gone well when tried here previously. Byron Bay and Ice Age look sure to be vying for an early lead. Peaceful Means won a seller for Gary Brown earlier in the year and while things didn't work out with Brian Baugh, John Mackie attempts to work the oracle with the mare. Desert Stag makes a debut for George Moore having left the yard of Micky Hammond. A desperately weak finale in which few can have dogmatic opinions but Manathon represents a token selection under the circumstances.
Desert Stag 28-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, mistake 6th, struggling from 7th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Border Reiver (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct, 11 ran.
Ice Image (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 15, 19l behind Shiwawa (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Peaceful Means (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, jumped right 1st, well beaten before 3 out, hampered 2 out, 7th of 13, 36l behind Ameeq (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) In touch and keen, challenged over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Winged Farasi (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in May.
Heroes 10-11fav (11-5) Held up, ridden and headway after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 13, 12l behind Olivino (10-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
Lost Our Way (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 13th of 20, 43l behind Ireland's Call (11-1) at Down Royal 2m hdl gf in Jun.
Byron Bay 100-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, not fluent 3rd, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 49l behind Magellan Straits (10-13) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Wensleydale Web 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 12, 6l behind Hunting Tower (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Bed Fellow (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 9, 21l behind Pengana (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Manathon (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, driven 7th, some progress next, weakened soon after 2 out, 5th of 17, 24l behind Charge It (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sep.
Mysterious World (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 14, 14l behind Obara d'Avril (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
