tracked leaders, led after 4th, headed 7th, led again 10th, headed 5 out, in 3rd and one pace when left 2nd 2 out, kept on
with leaders, hit 14th, weakened from 5 out
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, in 4th and one pace when left 3rd and slightly hampered 2 out, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, took closer order 3rd, led 7th, headed 10th, led again 5 out, joined and about to be headed when left 3 lengths clear 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, driven out
held up in rear, in 5th and held approaching 4 out, left 4th 2 out, one pace
held up mid-division, hit 2nd and lost place, soon towards rear, weakened from 12th
in rear, headway 5 out, went 2nd 3 out, going well when joined leader and fell 2 out
led, headed after 4th, tracked leaders, in rear and weakened from 11th
MIDNIGHT GOLD is the pick with Ballycarney and Defying Gravity worthy of inclusion upon the shortlist. Peter Bowen's ten-year-old was disappointing at Stratford last time out but he is a recent winner at this track and a reproduction of that form would suffice at this grade. Ballycarney was not totally disgraced in the Summer National. He stays this trip though connections would have hoped that the assessor might have shown a little bit of leniency after he was beaten so far in his previous race off today's mark. Defying Gravity crept into the weights having seen them go up overnight. He is a winning hunter chaser that handles fast ground so any market support should not be ignored. Whataboutya is sure to be popular with the champion jockey aboard. Marblehead was another to show useful form during his pointing days. By that token, he should have no issue with carrying a big weight but he might have trouble against this level of opposition. Sea Wall is quirky though would have every chance if consenting to be on a going day. Having considered the alternatives, Midnight Gold is our idea of the winner.
Marblehead (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Tracked leader until 2nd, prominent, pushed along after 5th, driven 7th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, soon idled, driven out, won at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul beating King Rocky (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Ballycarney (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) Tracked leaders, blundered 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 18, 27l behind Ouzbeck (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gf in Jun.
Midnight Gold 3-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, not fluent 7th, struggling 4 out, 9th of 11, 28l behind Sea Wall (11-1) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Sea Wall 20-1 (11-1) Prominent, led 6th until next, led 9th until 11th, led approaching 4 out, hard pressed last, all out, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul beating Dead Or Alive (11-12) by hd, 11 ran.
Quattrocento (FR) 9-2 (11-1) In touch, blundered 2nd, outpaced 18th, no chance when blundered last, 7th of 10, 39l behind General Hardi (10-0) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Some Craic (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 18l behind Sea Wall (11-1) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Whataboutya (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, hit 12th, headway approaching 4 out, close 3rd last, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sea Wall (11-1) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Defying Gravity (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Prominent, pushed along in 2nd before 5 out, dropped to moderate 4th next, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Pallasmore (10-13) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gd in Jul.
