held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, driven out
mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
behind, headway 3 out, 6th next, ridden and kept on approaching last, nearest finish
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no extra approaching last
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, ridden and lost place approaching 4th, soon behind
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression approaching next
always behind
5th when fell 4th
always in rear
In a poor contest, Armentieres gets the vote ahead of Grey Samurai and Calkley's Bank. The selection has previous form over course and distance, and was only two and a half lengths in arrears of Assumetheposition last time at Sedgefield, form that could be franked in the opener today. He also has the bonus of his jockey claiming 10 lbs, and on what could become testing ground, that could prove invaluable. Bryan Ellison's Grey Samurai would go close if reproducing his run of last time out at Uttoxeter, however that form, as can be said of most on show today, is distinctly average. Caulkley's Bank comes into the reckoning on his last run, however he may appreciate slightly further than this bare two miles and so he is passed over in favour of Armentieres.
Caulkleys Bank 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out to chase leaders, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, nk behind Taras Knight (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov sll hdl (5) gd.
Futoo (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 17, 3/4l behind Beau Torero (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Grey Samurai 7-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 6th, ridden and edged left approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Winds Supreme (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Shamwari Fire (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 4th, headed after next, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Executive Paddy (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 9 ran.
Armentieres 7-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 6th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Assumetheposition (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd.
Buldaan (FR) 25-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 30l behind Stormy Beech (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Oct.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 10, 43l behind Oniz Tiptoes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Dantor 500-1 (10-4) Behind when fell in the race won by Rasharrow (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs, 11 ran.
Cadeaux Rouge (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led 1st, close up, 4th when fell 5 out in race won by Escobar (11-6) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Fortune's Fool 11-1 (10-11) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Leadaway (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May, 15 ran.
Zabadou 100-1 (11-6) Behind, blundered 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Day Of Claies (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs, 10 ran.
Arjay 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, badly hampered 2nd, not recover and pulled up at the last in race won by Robbie Can Can (11-9) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct, 17 ran.
Nebraska City 100-1 (10-7) Led, clear after 3rd, slow jump 5th, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 13, 32l behind Pilca (10-12) at Ludlow 2m cnd sll hdl (5) gd.
Karyon (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Led after 3rd, headed 5th, chased leaders, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 26l behind Colway Ritz (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan.
Power And Demand 20-1 (10-3) Behind, mistake 4th, hampered bend after 5th, never dangerous, last of 14, well behind My Good Lord (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sept.
Explode 50-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Classic Rock (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 20 ran.
Spirit Guide (FR) 25-1 (10-3) In rear, hampered after 1st, behind from 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Escobar (11-6) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Oct.
