chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, not fluent 6th, weakened soon after 3 out
held up, steady headway and left chasing leading pair 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd before last, no impression
chased leaders, chased winner and not fluent 7th, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd before last
not fluent, in touch, weakening when blundered 9th
held up, always behind
tracked leader, led 7th, made rest, clear last, driven out
mistake 1st, took keen hold and held up in rear, headway to chase leading pair and going well when blundered 2 out, not recover, pulled up before last
led, mistakes 3rd and next, mistake and headed 7th, weakening when blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
In the opener, the short list contains Night Safe, Christdalo and Delray Beach, with the vote going to Night Safe. Night Safe's Market Rasen success marked him down as promising over hurdles and, with stamina hardly likely to be an issue for him, he looks set to play a leading part in this race today. Ladino made hay while the sun shone during the summer but this is a step up in grade. Smart Mover's second to stable companion Cruising River last time was a fair effort, although he will need to build on it again over hurdles, but Delray Beach looked good when stepped up in trip at Hexham last time and, up in trip again, is not ruled out of a good run. A decent chaser, Lou du Moulin Mas might go well, and, being from the David Pipe yard, the Mares Irish Point to Point Flat race winner, Christdalo, has also to be given some thought. Overall, though, the vote goes to Night Safe.
Coin Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, left in lead 6th, strongly pressed and headed 3 out, soon lost place and no extra, 4th of 8, 4l behind Amalfitano (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f nov hdl gs.
Ladino (FR) 7-4 (11-12) Always towards rear, ridden 7th, no impression, 4th of 5, 20l behind Sonoma (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Smart Mover 5-1 (11-10) Held up, headway approaching 9th, every chance approaching last, soon ridden, one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Cruising River (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Night Safe (IRE) 11-10fav (10-5) Chased leader, lead after 8th, driven out, won at Market Rasen 3m nov hdl (4) sft beating Mumbles Head (11-1) by 10l, 7 ran.
Delray Beach (FR) 17-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Another Jameson (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Derreen Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) In touch, reminder after 6th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Needle Prick (11-2) at Worcester 3m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Lou du Moulin Mas (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 7th, no impression on leaders from 4 out, 8th of 29, 22l behind Liberthine (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
Christdalo (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, close 3rd approaching straight, led 1 1/2f out, quickened clear, impressive, won at Tipperary 2m 2f nhf hvy in May '05 beating Coolafancy (11-1) by 4l, 20 ran.
Tihui Two (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leader until approaching 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 13, well behind Rio De Janeiro (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) sft in May.
