in rear, ridden before 2 out, weakening when hampered last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and left 3rd when hampered last, one pace
tracked leaders, led 3 out, kept on well
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, looking held in 2nd when fell last
led, headed 3 out, ridden before last, soon left 2nd place, one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened before last
NonRunner
Trans Express is a three-times course winner but those in the top half of the handicap appear to have the stronger form. Watcombe Heights has had a break since disappointing in June and has only won at Newton Abbot so far. Comrade Conrad was tailed off on his reappearance at Chepstow in a race in which NAYATI was an honourable third. The first three pulled clear of the rest and Alan King’s four-year-old can defy a small rise in the weights. Casterly Rock found only one too good at Bangor last month and should be winning soon while River Bray is entitled to improve on his third in a maiden at Uttoxeter, though may not enjoy the drop back in distance.
Zalvados (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Held up, took keen hold, well beaten 4 out, tailed off, 16th of 18, dist behind Garo De Juilley (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Nayati (FR) 7-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4 out, 2nd 2 out, every chance before approaching last, 3rd and unable to quicken flat, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Grand Sancy (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
River Bray (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Keen, in touch, mistake 3rd, not fluent next, every chance when hung right after 2 out, held when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 10 1/4l behind Net De Treve (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Watcombe Heights (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Raced wide, chased leaders, weakened 12th, 6th of 7, 16 3/4l behind Wolfcatcher (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Comrade Conrad (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd or 4 out, weakened before 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Grand Sancy (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Casterly Rock (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, in touch 7th, challenged before 2 out, not fluent last, held flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Royal Ruby (11-1) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Trans Express (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, stayed on same pace approaching last, 7th of 20, 8 1/4l behind First Assignment (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Primal Focus (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, hit 4th, never dangerous, well held 8th when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Indian Harbour 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 3rd before last, no extra, 5th of 14, 5 3/4l behind Kick On Dottie (10-7) at Hexham 2m (4) gd in May.