a little slow at early hurdles, made most until after 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, 2nd before last, no impression on winner from last bend, lost 2nd close home
held up in touch in rear, pushed along after 9th, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in touch in rear, headway 7th, not fluent 8th, lost place before 2 out, soon behind
tracked leaders, outpaced after 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
pressed leader, led briefly 3rd, led after 2 out, ridden clear last bend, stayed on
Most if not all of this field have work to do off their marks and it's quite a tricky puzzle to sort out with course specialist Boruma having to show more improvement to win off this mark after falling last time out. Matorico is stepped up a little in trip here but he'll need to show that he can improve for it and Tawseef despite coming from a stable in form has to cope with being a long way out of the handicap. Court King would have a good chance if he continues his improvement back over hurdles again while Nautical Nitwit may provide some value in the market if he's come on for his last run around here. KNIGHT OF NOIR always threatened to be a good horse and he's now showing that and despite his defeat last time over fences and a stiff looking mark he may be able to show his touch of class here.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 4-7fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, pushed along and headed before 4 out, no impression 2 out, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Black Corton (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Jul.
Matorico (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, left 3rd next, ridden and one pace last, held flat, lost place towards finish, 4th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Whatzdjazz (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Nautical Nitwit (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Soon tracked leaders, in 4th and well held before last, soon left 3rd, one pace, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Altruism (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Boruma (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden before last, disputing 2nd and looking held by winner when fell last, at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Court King (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Close up, challenged 2 out every and ridden run-in, kept on and held close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Scoop The Pot (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Tawseef (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon led, held on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Transpennine Star (10-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
