held up mid-division, chased leaders when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
chased leader, led briefly approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well 1f out, driven out
held up in rear, headway 2 out, went 2nd after last, weakened approaching elbow
always towards rear, pulled up 6th
led, jumped slowly 1st, headed briefly approaching 5th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened after last
prominent, weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, pushed along after 5th, soon weakened
Top weight MIDNIGHT GOLD looks potentially well treated and is the form pick to land this handicap chase at the expense of Reel Charmer and Marrel. The selection landed himself in the winners' enclosure at Uttoxeter on his penultimate run sporting cheekpieces for the first time and was not discredited off a five pounds higher mark last time out at Newton Abbot. He is sixteen pounds better off with Marrel who beat him last time out and if at his best he will not be too far away. Marrel was well placed to win back to back races this past month but looked within the grip of the handicapper at Southwell last time out and should now be treated with caution. Reel Charmer has run well in a few novice chases of late and is rated seventeen pounds lower over fences compared to his hurdle rating so warrants plenty of respect on his handicap chase debut. Midnight Gold is the form horse in the race and if at his best he ought to go close.
Midnight Gold 11-2 (11-9) Took keen hold, tracking leaders, driven along in 3rd 4 out, kept on from last to press for 2nd, never any chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Marrel (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Top Dressing (IRE) 15-8fav (10-10) Tracked leaders and mistakes, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, last of 4, 48l behind Brooklyn Brownie (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Marrel 4-1 (11-13) Chased leading pair, mistake 5th, ridden and lost 3rd at 14th, weakened soon after, tailed off when blundered 3 out, 4th of 8, 29l behind Keltic Lord (10-8) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Nile Moon (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Tracked winner, led 7th to 10th, soon lost place, struggling 12th, no danger after, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Toulouse Express (9-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Reel Charmer 11-8fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance when left leader 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Minouchka (9-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov stks (3) gd in May.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in last place, ridden and some headway 12th, beaten before 4 out, 7th of 8, well behind Rakalackey (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Copper Bay (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 11th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Tempsford (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 7 ran.
Maidstone Mixture (FR) 9-2 (10-0) Led 1st to 3rd, remained prominent, mistake and weakened 11th, 5th of 11, 32l behind Robert The Brave (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f noc chs (4) gd.
First Boy 16-1 (10-13) In touch, raced keenly, went 2nd approaching 13th until before 3 out, still every chance when awkward 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 11l behind Native City (11-7) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leader until approaching 3rd, struggling when not fluent 7th, no impression after, 6th of 11, 18l behind Trotsky (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.
