slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home
mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace final 100 yards
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led, clear over 7f out until over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon lost place
chased leaders, led 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish
soon tracking leader, lost 2nd over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, pressing leaders inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
towards rear, headway from 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, no extra inside final 100 yards
It's difficult to have much confidence in any of this bunch. MIDNIGHT WARRIOR is 4lb higher than when scoring over 1m6f here in September but this looks no tougher and he gets a token vote. Smart Ruler was well beaten off today's mark the last time he raced on the Flat but has won over hurdles since while though Le Deluge won off a similar mark at Southwell last month he was tailed off at Pontefract last time. Bright Applause and Cloud Monkey were both placed over today's trip last season and have a shout if in the mood.
Smart Ruler (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, weakening when not much room and eased over 1f out, 9th of 15, 9l behind Sergeant Pink (9-2) at Carlisle 1m 3f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Cloud Monkey (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Always in rear, weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up, last of 16, well behind Light Of Asia (9-4) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Moontown 20-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 10, 16l behind All Talk N No Do (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Le Deluge (FR) 20-1 (8-10) Pressed leader, led over 6f out, headed over 4f out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Final Countdown (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Bright Applause 33-1 (8-11) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 28l behind Final Countdown (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Tinseltown 33-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 8l behind Sheriff Of Nawton (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Mar.
Exclusive Waters (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Midfield, some late headway, never on terms, 5th of 11, 10l behind Pressure Point (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Rochambeau (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, driven over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 11, 10l behind Eltheeb (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Pertuis (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never a factor, 4th of 6, 11l behind Le Deluge (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Midnight Warrior 5-2fav (9-11) Led headed 8f out, tracked leader, lost place 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 17l behind Cool Baranca (9-2) at Catterick 1m 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
