tracked leader until 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon struggling, 5th and no impression when fell last
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, headway 4 out, went 3rd after last bend, no chance with winner
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway when not fluent 5th, went 2nd 7th, led 2 out, clear after last, very easily
mid-division, headway 9th, 4th and outpaced last, stayed on to take 2nd on last bend, no chance with winner
mid-division, slow 4th, headway 6th, slow 9th and 10th, no impression 4 out
led, clear before 3rd until after 8th, headed 2 out, weakened off last bend
towards rear, headway 10th, not fluent 4 out (water), weakening when mistake 2 out
took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, lost place from 7th, tailed off 4 out
SLEEP IN FIRST (NAP) is not only the most consistent performer in this field but also has a tendency to take time to wind up before coming with his usual late challenge. Therefore he may prove well suited to this idiosyncratic venue with its exceptionally long run from the last to the winning post. Bentons Lad is a possible but he didn't find things so easy off his new handicap rating last time and is asked to run off the same figure here. John Hodge worked the oracle with Bambi Du Noyer when the Sageburg gelding landed a first win over fences since 2015 in France when scoring at this venue for his new yard. He is 7lb higher as a result but a repeat dose would see him in the midst of things. Cash Again is down to a workable mark but could do with some cut in the ground.
Sigurd (GER) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, struggling 10th, well beaten from 2 out, 5th of 8, 22 3/4l behind The Unit (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun.
Cash Again (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Whoshotwho (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Bambi Du Noyer (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 7th, 6th and plenty to do last, rallied flat, soon ridden, stayed on strongly on outside final furlong, led closing stages, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Trust Thomas (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Sleep In First (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, chased front pair between last 2, ridden after last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Ever So Much (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Bentons Lad 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 3 out, beaten before last, no extra flat, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Ready And Able (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Stormbay Bomber (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 10th of 13, 18l behind Reverse The Charge (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Ripstick 20-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, went 4th from 7th, one pace and well held 2 out, 4th of 7, 32l behind Raise A Spark (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gd in May.
Our Uncle Pat (IRE) 80-1 (11-1) In rear, fell after 4 out, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
