chased leading quartet, led 12th, ridden after 15th, headed next, one pace
tracked leaders, led 7th until next, tracked leaders, not fluent at 14th, led and jumped right from 4 out, ridden out,
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, stayed on
chased leaders, ridden and lost position after 8th, weakened after 15th
prominent, led 8th until 12th, every chance 4 out, ridden and one pace after
led until 7th, chased leaders until 12th, weakened after 15th
Uncle Mick can defy toweight at the expense of Saffron Sun and River Quoile in a race that should take little winning. The first thing to say is that Uncle Mick was very, very lucky to collect at Newton Abbot last time as he looked booked for third place only until the two horses in front of him threw away their chances completely, but even so his overall form gives him leading claims. Since that fortuitous victory he has put in two safe rounds, albeit one-paced on both occasions, and with his ability to handle the fast ground not in question, he should again be involved in the finish. The big question here is not whether he is good enough but if any of his five rivals is up to the task in hand. On recent evidence it is hard to put forward a solid case for any of them, but Saffron Sun is a course winner and has the assistance of Richard Johnson. He has not been seen since June but does go well fresh, while River Quoile is still looking for that elusive first win after 27 starts but was a fair second to Pangeran at Fontwell in August. On a line through that horse, Rag Week should be there or thereabouts as well, but the percentage call has to be Uncle Mick.
Uncle Mick (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner 12th, ridden next, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 24l behind Mr Splodge (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Saffron Sun 13-2 (10-10) Led, jumped right 2nd and 3rd, blundered 7th, headed 10th, lost place from 13th, 8th of 9, well behind Kelly (11-1) at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jun.
Galtee View (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, dropped to 5th from 5th, ridden before 4 out, soon no impression under pressure, 5th of 8, 19l behind Lowlander (11-9) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Aug.
Rag Week (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led to 4th, tracked leader, lost place 13th, soon struggling, tailed off from 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Innisfree (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Aug.
River Quoile 6-1 (10-4) With leader to 4th, jumped right 10th, mistake and lost place 11th, soon behind, 5th of 10, 32l behind Ultimate Limit (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Sept.
Sunday Habits (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Led, jumped slowly and headed 8th, ridden 12th, weakened next, 6th of 7, 42l behind Mr Splodge (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
