Hatcher was just beaten over 2m5f here in the summer but may not last home over this trip, even around here. Yccs Portocervo is upped in grade seeking a hat-trick and may also fall short but NEON MOON is well treated on the pick of last season’s form and it’s about time he was getting his head back in front. Arizona Cardinal won over 3m at Uttoxeter in May but Brief Times wouldn’t want the ground to deteriorate while Tweed Skirt is upped in distance stepping out of novice company following a wind operation. Swapped has won three times this year but against lesser opposition.
Brief Times (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, led, jumped right 12th, headed before last, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Courtland (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Tweed Skirt 9-2 (11-6) In touch in mid-division, lost place before 12th, behind 4 out, switched right before 3 out, rallied from 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Walk In Clover (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Yccs Portocervo (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Led, mistake 4 out, headed 2 out, led again last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Corran Cross (12-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Arizona Cardinal 10-3fav (10-3) Handy, went 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) gs in May beating Yes Indeed (10-8) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Neon Moon (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Held up, moved to midfield 4 out, chased front trio 3 out, gradually weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Hatcher (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, stumbled next, well in touch before 4 out, no extra 2 out, 4th of 6, 24l behind Hang In There (12-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Swapped (FR) 6-5fav (11-12) Jumped well throughout, led, shaken up before 3 out, ridden approaching next, headed before last, kept on but held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Snipe (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
