soon tracking leaders, led approaching last, driven out
led, headed 4 out, kept on from last
held in rear, mistake 2nd, hit 8th, outpaced approaching 2 out when not fluent, no impression after
held up in touch, ridden and not fluent last, one pace
in touch, reminders after 5 out, soon outpaced, kept on approaching last
held up in touch, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, joined leader 6th, led 4 out, headed approaching last, kept on
tracked leaders early, towards rear, in touch approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
THE GOD OF LOVE and Archie Boy may be the two to concentrate on although Norther Bay could be one to note as he makes his chase bow. The selection came within a short-head of scoring on his chase bow and duly built on that when running out a 6 length winner at Ballinrobe. He was value for more than the winning margin and should continue to progress. Archie Boy reeled off a mid-summer hat-trick over fences before reverting to timber last time. He looks to have the beating of Histoire De Moeurs on that evidence and should be a threat to all providing that the ground doesn't get too soft. Norther Bay was a winner of a Grade 3 hurdle back in 2007 and remains of interest on his chase bow despite having shown little on his last two starts which have come almost a year apart; the market may guide. Rippling Ring didn't appeal as being one to have the mortgage on last season but he did everything right in a fair novices' chase on his return from a break and may yet be able to fulfil his initial promise. Safari Journey was a long way behind that day but has shown improved form since and also enters calculations but The God Of Love may bring home the bacon.
Archie Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 7th after 4 out, ridden and no extra straight, 6th of 17, 9l behind Orpen Guama (9-10) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 gd in Jul.
Rippling Ring (SAF) 2-1fav (11-8) With leader, disputed lead 7th, led 3 out, hard pressed from next, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gd in Jul beating Mutual Friend (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Safari Journey (USA) 1-2fav (11-12) Held up in last, in touch when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, one pace last, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Star of Germany (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
The God Of Love (USA) 4-9fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway in 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, clear before next, pushed out briefly run-in, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs in Jul beating The Sneezer (11-7) by 6l, 15 ran.
Histoire De Moeurs (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Not fluent, close up, slow jump 7th, ridden next, beaten when blundered 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Safari Journey (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Nordwind (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Raced in 4th and well adrift of leading trio, pushed along 6th, headway into 3rd 3 out, challenging for 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Predateur (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m noc chs (4) gs.
Norther Bay (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 20, well behind Indian Pace (9-10) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul '08.
Wake Board (FR) 4-6fav (10-0) Raced very keenly in lead, soon well clear, not fluent 4th (water) reduced lead when mistake 10th, slow jump and headed next, chased winner after, no chance after 3 out, tired when blundered last, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Predateur (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m noc chs (4) gs.
