keen in rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, some progress until one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, weakened over 3f out, ran green
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, ridden and some progress 4f out, never a danger
in touch, ridden and slightly outpaced 5 out, headway over 2f out, close up over 1f out, kept on
led, ridden 3f out, headed well over 1f out and faded
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ran on
chased leader halfway, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6f out
always in rear, pulled up and dismounted over 1f out
held up, well off pace when good headway over 2f out, hard ridden when switched left well over 1f out, ran on, not reached winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
Border Reiver looked one to keep on the right side on his debut and is taken to reverse form with Weather Front on these terms. Awesome George has to be respected as a danger, while Autumn Harvest - a stablemate of Weather Front - is also worthy of consideration if the market speaks in his favour. The last named got off the mark in good style at Kelso before showing signs of immaturity when finishing second to a nicely-bred type at Ayr 27 days ago. Sure to be better as he gains in experience, this son of Beat Hollow should not be underestimated and, with Tony Dobbin taking for the ride, it is difficult to equate which is Nicky Richards' best contender on jockey bookings. Weather Front had a length to spare over the selection when they met last month and, with the experience under his belt, he looks sure to make a bold attempt again. However, the gelding is 9lb worse off at the weights and it will take a good effort from him to resist the challenge today. Awesome George - a winner at Exeter last month - is another that looks progressive and, despite hanging in the closing stages of his victory, has already displayed a good attitude. From the rest: Cold Harbour is an interesting debutante to note for signs of support, while Yonder gets the fillies allowance; but it is worth bearing in mind that it was a falsely run race she won at Exeter and she has more on her plate this time around. Which brings us back to Border Reiver, who did very little wrong at Wetherby. Trainer, Tim Easterby, has secured the services of Richard Hughes for the ride today and, with plenty of anticipated improvement, Border Reiver looks the one to be on as a rare runner for the Easterby team at Cheltenham.
Autumn Harvest 15-8fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway from 4f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Teenage Idol (10-12) at Ayr 1m 6f nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Awesome George 10-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung right, ridden out, won at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec beating Sassanias (10-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Weather Front 7-2fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5f out, led over 2f out, driven out, won at Wetherby 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec beating Border Reiver (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
Attrapeur (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Led for 1f, prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 13, 12l behind Awesome George (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Border Reiver 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, hung left final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Weather Front (10-7) at Wetherby 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Cold Harbour Classic Cliche gelding, half-brother to numerous winners from 7f-2m.
Cricket Boy 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden and headed, held when hampered inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Awesome George (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Flying Squad (UAE) 7-1 (10-12) Led, cleared 2f out, ridden over 1f out, caught last stride, 2nd of 13, hd behind Ready To Crown (9-9) at Huntingdon 1m 6f nhf (5) gf in Nov.
Lord Generous 7-2jt-fav (10-12) In touch, ridden 3f out, led 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 18, shd behind Yuda Fu (10-7) at Warwick 1m 6f nhf (5) gs in Nov.
The Dark Horse Grand Lodge gelding out of 1m2f winner Ares Vallis.
Tostaky (FR) Sagacity gelding, half-brother to numerous winners from 5f-1m4f and over hurdles.
Walragnek Mind Games gelding, half-brother to winning sprinters Song Huntress and Mission Impossible.
Zaad (IRE) Muhtarram gelding, related to numerous winners from 6f-1m4f including useful 1m2f-1m4f winner Elhayq.
Yonder 5-2fav (10-5) Held up, headway 4f out, switched left 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, quickened clear, comfortably, won at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gf in Oct beating Ragdollianna (9-12) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Moulin de La Croix 13-2 (10-12) Led at steady pace, quickened pace over 4f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Valdas Queen (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Double Brandy 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Valdas Queen (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
