dwelt in rear, ridden over 5f out, never on terms
close up, ridden when hit rail over 4f out, soon lost place
made most, ridden over 2f out, stayed on strongly
slowly into stride in rear, ridden over 5f out, headway under pressure from 3f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
held up, pushed along over 5f out, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked winner until ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
keen tracked winner, pushed along 6f out, weakened 4f out
close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
This year's Triumph Hurdle winner, Countrywide Flame, will attract plenty of attention back on the Flat but he's 12lb higher than when scoring at Redcar last October. Preference is for another winning hurdler in MARTIAL LAW as David Pipe's charge was beaten less than a length on the level at Ascot in July and this is less competitive. Most of the remainder are looking to bounce back to form though Natural High posted a better effort at Goodwood when last seen at the track in May. Deauville Flyer and Montaff could both figure if back to their best while Trovare has won over today's trip on the Polytrack but is 6lb higher in the weights now.
Montaff 11-2 (9-7) Held up in last pair, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 10l behind Address Unknown (9-11) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Deauville Flyer 12-1 (8-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 14l behind Olympiad (8-10) at York 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Countrywide Flame 9-4fav (8-13) Made all, ridden final furlong, stayed on well, won at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct beating Categorical (8-6) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Martial Law (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up in 5th and off the pace, steady headway 5f out, chased leaders into straight, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, closed on winner near finish, always just held, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Romeo Montague (9-11) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Jul.
Ardlui (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 12th of 15, 22l behind Lily In Pink (10-0) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Mica Mika (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Chased leader, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 14l behind Communicator (8-13) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd in Aug.
Trovare (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Held up in mid-division, ridden on outside 2f out, plugged on to modest 5th inside final furlong, never involved, 5th of 9, 8l behind Rumh (9-3) at Goodwood 2m hcp 105 (2) gd.
Natural High (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Held up in 6th, steady headway 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Al Khawaneej (9-8) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Swinging Hawk (GER) 14-1 (8-6) In rear, some headway under pressure towards stands side over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 8l behind Very Good Day (8-11) at York 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.