prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up tracking leaders, ridden to chase leaders 6th, weakened 2 out
pulled up, always in rear, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
always in rear, lost touch halfway, pulled up 3 out
held up in touch, driven 3 out, headway to chase winner from 2 out, stayed on and every chance last, no extra close home
never dangerous
chased leader and hit 1st, mistake 6th, quickened to lead 3 out, clear 2 out, ran on
led, mistake 5th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out and weakened
Adjami was slightly disappointing when beaten over 2m4f at Hereford last time but today's shorter trip should suit and Alan King's gelding is taken to resume winning ways, with Screenplay and Hathlen rated the main dangers. Bumper winner It's My Party lacks any hurdling experience and was well beaten on a recent start on the flat so of more interest may be another recruit form bumpers Hard N Sharp, although he too lacks any experience of hurdling in public. Henrietta Knight's Cadtauri has shown only a modicum of ability in three starts in National Hunt flat races but may do better now that he tackles obstacles but more solid claims are held by Screenplay, who stayed well on the flat and should appreciate today's longer trip. Gary Moore's Hathlen showed promise last term and comes here fit form the level so has to be respected but the vote goes to Adjami, who only needs to reproduce his best to win this.
Adjami (IRE) 8-11fav (11-3) Led, ridden and hung left approaching last and again flat, headed and not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind State of Play (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gf in Jun.
Corrib Drift (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Led until not fluent 3rd, ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 30l behind Compton Drake (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Hard N Sharp 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 17, 11l behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Aug.
Cadtauri (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 21l behind Unjust Law (10-9) at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gd in May.
Hathlen (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (10-12) Chased leaders until ridden and outpaced 3 out, 5th of 6, 22l behind Atlantic City (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Screenplay 10-3 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Dyneburg (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (F) gf in Aug.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In rear, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 28l behind Wally Wonder (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Aug.
It's My Party 12-1 (10-4) Tracked leader after 4f to 9f out, outpaced over 6f out, progress from 3f out, led 2f out, driven clear, won at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) gd in May beating Maarees (10-0) by 11l, 10 ran.
