chased leader, led approaching 4 out, ridden, clear approaching last, driven out
mistakes mid-division, keen, lost place after 1st, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
held up, reminder after 3rd, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway approaching 4 out, outpaced approaching last
in touch, mistake 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
led, headed approaching 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace from last
in rear, keen, saddle slipped, pulled up after 3rd
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on
Top weight is not a great burden for Losing Grip to carry in this company and she is the preferred option over Blackcomb Mountain and Verstone, while Pips Assertive Way is one to seriously bear in mind if she is backed before the off. Tony Carroll is a very rare visitor to Cartmel but has been profitable to follow when he has sought out the assistance of Noel Fehily. The Irishman teams up with Pips Assertive Way for the first time in public, but it would come as no surprise to see the partnership attract plenty of interest from the betting ring. Verstone was poor on the Flat but has at least made the frame on a couple of occasions over jumps. She gets a handy weight allowance and has a feasible chance on these terms. Similar comments also apply to Blackcomb Mountain, who is another that comes a long way for this. The betting will give a good indication towards connections confidence about the fitting of headgear for the first time having the desired effect today. However, Losing Grip is a touch more straightforward and, with the ground very much in her favour, this lightly raced mare is fancied to cement her position as officially the best horse in the race.
Losing Grip (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Led and took keen hold, clear 6th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 15, 32l behind Donie Dooley (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Ardent Way 10-1 (11-7) Fell 2 fell at the 2nd in race won by Aiming High (11-7) at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gd in Mar, 13 ran.
High Class Pet 9-1 (10-5) Mid-division, reminder 6th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Fourth Dimension (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
The Boobi (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 34l behind City of Manchester (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Azahara 11-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 25l behind Ball Games (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Oct.
Blackcomb Mountain (USA) 6-1 (10-0) Made most until headed approaching 10th, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Aisjem (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Devils Delight (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Always behind, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 42l behind Orpen Wide (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Verstone (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, mistake 5th, headway 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 30l behind Optimistic Harry (10-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
