chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 4 out, well beaten after 2 out
chased winner, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before last
made all, driven and hard pressed from final bend, held on very gamely
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd from last, strong challenge from final bend, just held
in rear, ridden 3 out, headway after 2 out, 2nd briefly before jumping right last, weakened from final bend
held up towards rear, took keen hold, closed after 3rd, ridden after 2 out, no extra last
NonRunner
It’s more than four years since Nick Lost last ran over hurdles and Jony Max is also better known as a chaser, though is potentially well treated back over the smaller obstacles. Native Fighter has gone well here in the past but was a long way behind the progressive JOHNSON’S BLUE over track and trip last month and Tom Midgley’s claim halves another 10lb rise for the latter. Another course winner, Liffeydale Dreamer, has only gone up 4lb for completing a double at Stratford but Rookie Trainer is having a first run for new connections, as is Willaston.
Rookie Trainer (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Chased leader or close 3rd, blundered 3 out, challenged 2 out, led and not fluent last, soon headed, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Caius Marcius (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Nick Lost (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Rear, 7th before 4 out, effort in 5th after last (normal 2 out), no extra 1f out, 6th of 9, 17l behind Arrycan (10-13) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp gd in Aug.
Liffeydale Dreamer (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Soon led, headed before 8th, nudged after 4 out, pushed after 3 out, 2nd when ridden turning for home, battled on gamely, just failed (finished 2nd, placed 1st), 2nd of 9, at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Willaston (IRE) 8-1 (12-4) Settled behind leaders, closer in 5th 4 out, led after 3 out, joined before straight, ridden before 2 out, narrow lead after 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed close home, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind The Holmeister (11-0) at Limerick 3m hcp gd in Jul.
Native Fighter (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Behind, pushed along 3rd, modest 7th last, no impression, 7th of 12, 29 1/4l behind Johnson's Blue (10-10) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Jony Max (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along and went clear with leader 4 out, ridden and left behind 2 out, soon held, eased closing stages, 2nd of 5, 8 1/2l behind Defi D'Oudairies (11-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Johnson's Blue (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) Made all, wandered into 2nd, clear after last, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Belles Benefit (10-8) by 9 1/2l, 12 ran.
