chased leader to 3rd, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted soon after 4 out
raced freely, led to 3 out, weakened soon after next
raced wide, held up, driven after 4 out, weakening when blundered next
held up in rear, hit 3rd and 5th, some headway on inside approaching 3 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed well before last, one pace
keen hold, held up towards rear, steady headway from 4th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, challenged and almost upsides last, kept on run in but always just held
held up in mid-division, steady headway when hit 3 out, kept on under pressure run-in
prominent, chased leader 3rd, every chance 2 out, weakened into 4th when mistake last
in touch, hit 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
hit 3 out, always towards rear
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven and held on well run-in
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, weakened between last two, hit last
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, tailed off 3 out
Competitive stuff again here with Danehill Willy, Osprey View, Golden Alchemist and Hot Zone among those with chances and the vote goes to the last named. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is in tremendous form having completed a hat-trick with two wins ay Stratford split by success at Bangor. All those were admittedly in novices' company, but he was impressive and he gets in here on a handy mark, so with McCoy up he is the selection. Danehill Willy has a tough job on with top weight although he too was running well when last seen out. If he can act as well after a break he can go close. Osprey View looks in the grip of the handicapper and despite being 2lb worse off Golden Alchemist should confirm Market Rasen running with that rival, while Nigel Twiston-Davies' other runner Platin Grounds is interesting after winning his qualifier at Perth and having a mere 10st 1lb to carry here. Bon Viveur was slighty unlucky at Towcester last time but will need to improve, and the same can be said of Cape Greko, who has a bit to prove after a lack lustre effort on the flat last time. The percentage call then is Hot Zone.
Danehill Willy (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Made all, soon clear, hit 2nd, came back to field 5th, not fluent 2 out, drew clear from last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Mon Michel (11-4) by 9l, 12 ran.
Osprey View (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, blundered 2nd, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching last, blundered, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Gwanako (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd.
Golden Alchemist 9-2 (11-4) Chased leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Jul beating Osprey View (11-8) by 5l, 4 ran.
Classic Gold (GER) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped well to go 2nd at 5th, joined leader soon after 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Dariak (11-6) by 4l, 8 ran.
Hot Zone (IRE) 2-9fav (11-12) Led and not fluent 4th, jumped right next, clear approaching 6 out, driven out 2 out, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Comeintothespace (10-5) by 10l, 13 ran.
Rajeh (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 2 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Danehill Willy (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Cape Greko 4-1 (11-5) With leader, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, hard ridden flat, held on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Eldorado (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Dan Buoy (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Prominent, ridden 7th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Minaad (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Contra Mundum (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened 6th, 6th of 9, 21l behind Mister Benedictine (11-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Bon Viveur 11-4jt-fav (10-12) Held up, mistake 5th, headway when not much room 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, hampered last, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Coda Agency (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd.
Platin Grounds (GER) 10-3 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, headway to lead after last, driven out, won at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Bremen (10-12) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Art Virginia (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 23l behind Prince De Bersy (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Im Busy 9-4 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, kept on, 5th of 11, 13l behind King Kasyapa (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Flinders Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 3 out, staying on when fell 2 out in race won by Coda Agency (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) gd, 12 ran.
