held up towards rear, smooth headway from 7th, led on bit 3 out, clear next comfortably
mid-division, ridden and headway after 8th, kept on same pace from next
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner
towards rear, ridden and one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and not fluent 3 out, kept on same pace
chased leader, led after 8th, headed next, one pace
led and soon clear, ridden and headed after 8th, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before last
Keltic Lord has a rare outing over hurdles and can make the move pay off, with Glacial Delight, Moorland Monarch and Oasis Banus others to consider. It is over four years since Keltic Lord last raced over the smaller obstacles, the nine-year-old having made a name for himself over fences of late, scoring three times in all. He has gone off the boil over the past couple of months though and the suspicion is that his busy summer campaign has left its mark. He could do with a confidence-booster, and Peter Hiatt's charge might just get it here off what appears to be a favourable mark of 88 compared to his last rating over fences of 111. None of his rivals seem in good form at present so the race is there for the taking, with perhaps Glacial Delight the one to give him most to do. Emma Lavelle's six-year-old was a winning point-to-pointer before showing a modicum of ability under rules and he will be interesting when sent over fences in time. Moorland Monarch is still a maiden both over hurdles and fences and may only be playing for a place again, while the market should reveal which of Pipe's duo is the most preferred. Timmy Murphy is on board Oasis Banus who has yet to show anything and returns from a break. Keltic Lord is well in and should hopefully make the most of that fact.
Glacial Delight (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 17, 15l behind Bowleaze (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd in May.
Keltic Lord 14-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, lost touch approaching 9th, 5th of 6, 41l behind Iris's Gift (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (B) gd in Sept.
Nice Baby (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up, hampered 1st, stayed on one pace from 3 out, never near leaders, 7th of 19, 22l behind Ashgan (10-4) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Jul.
Moorland Monarch 11-4 (10-3) Chased leaders to 7th, weakened next, 4th of 6, 34l behind Terrible Tenant (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Apr.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Led, mistake 5th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out and weakened, 4th of 8, 44l behind Screenplay (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Orion Express 33-1 (10-5) Jumped slowly 3rd, always behind, 11th of 16, 26l behind Sunnyland (10-11) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Hill Forts Henry 11-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 36l behind Mags Two (10-1) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Sept.
Oasis Banus (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Always behind, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Reservoir (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Mar.
