chased leaders, lost place before 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, 2nd 4 out, ridden and no impression on winner before last bend, faded and just held onto 3rd
led until 2nd, tracked leader until hit 7th, lost place and pulled up before 9th
led 2nd, clear before last bend, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway before 3rd, 2nd 7th until mistake 4 out (water), one pace from last
in rear, reminders after 2nd, ridden before 9th, closed from 4 out, mistake 3 out, 2nd on last bend, stayed on, no impression on winner
towards rear, slow and last 4th, well behind 4 out
Paul Nicholls is a rare visitor to Cartmel and his Orbassa looks to be drinking in the last chance saloon here with a chase record that is hardly bet compelling and there are doubts about a few others also in the race. The Moffatt duo Bon Chic and Munsaab both need to bounce back from poor runs although that's possible for the local trainer who has a good record here. The trainer/jockey combination of Peter and Sean Bowen have taken this race for the past two years and did so in 2015 with Forever My Friend who tries again here although this time around it's off a 20lb higher mark. Alderbrook Lad is always respected around here but a chance is taken with BRAVE SPARTACUS under a fully professional handling for the first time in ages around a course that may well suit his front-running style.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 5-4 (10-12) Close up until 3 out, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, plugged on, 3rd of 5, 26 1/4l behind Bridane Rebel (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Orbasa (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden after 4 out, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 16 3/4l behind Henryville (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led until 4 out, led after last, headed on last bend, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Camillas Wish (10-8) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Pressed leader to 10th, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Mountain King (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Munsaab (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, 3rd from 5th until after next, closed 13th, not fluent 3 out, outpaced from next, mistake last, well beaten after, 5th of 6, 12l behind Camillas Wish (10-8) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Bon Chic (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Always in rear, not fluent 1st, tailed off when slightly hampered by loose horse 14th, 6th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Creevytennant (11-10) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Swantykay (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Behind, blundered 1st, unseated rider, at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
