held up in rear, headway 12th, went 3rd 14th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, fell 7th
led to 4th, remained prominent, weakening when mistake 5 out
tracked leaders, ridden 9th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up before next
towards rear, outpaced 12th, headway under pressure after 3 out, stayed on to go remote 3rd towards finish
in touch, dropped rear 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, chased leader 8th, effort 4 out, one pace when mistake next, no impression after
tracked leaders, led 13th, ridden clear after last
led 4th to 13th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
A 10lb hike in the ratings may not be enough to prevent Hall Of Flame from scoring again. Stark Raven and Ad Murum are amongst the dangers. The selection has had relatively little racing for one of his years and was winning for the first time when staying on dourly at Sedgefield. He may be able to build on that run now that he has found his form, he handles this ground and clearly relishes a thorough test. Ad Murum ran pretty consistently throughout last year and won on last year's seasonal reappearance. He also stays this trip well and handles the ground although the suspicion at the end of the year was that the handicapper had his measure; he should be thereabouts though. Stark Raven is another relatively unexposed runner who has run two decent races and two poor ones over fences; he was pulled up in the race won by the selection. He's not without claims if putting his best foot forwards this evening but preference is for Hall Of Flame.
