held up until unseated rider 1st
raced on inside, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went poor 5th 2 out, tailed off
chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th until hit 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leading trio, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 2 out, lost 2nd before and weakened last
raced widest of all tracking winner in rear, steady headway before 4 out, 4th after 3 out, chased winner before last and slightly hampered, switched right soon after last and driven, soon no impression
raced widest of all with runner up and held up in rear, went left 5th, smooth headway before 4 out, 3rd on bit 3 out, challenged and hit 2 out, led between last 2, went left last, came readily clear flat, easily
raced on inside, held up in rear, headway to 5th after 3 out, soon ridden, poor 4th when hit 2 out and weakened soon after, tailed off
raced on inside, in rear, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off
led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed between last 2, still well there, held when blundered last, weakened flat
chased leader until 4th, weakened and hit 4 out, tailed off 3 out
It won't be easy to defy a double penalty but the manner of his latest Huntingdon success suggests that AMUSE ME may not be done winning just yet. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained gelding proved that he handled good to soft ground that day and won easily. He looks a smart recruit to the handicapping ranks and can underline that today. Gary Moore saddled the 2006 winner of this and sends out Lepido this time. He went well here last time and if the blinkers work he could go close, those previous use of headgear has not been so encouraging. Near The Water likes it here and is on a very competitive mark, while both Cardinal James and Posh Emily could take home some prize money if they can show a modicum of improvement.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 3 out, soon every chance, still well there under pressure when mistake last, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 7l behind Uffa Fox (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Near The Water (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In rear, hit 7th, tailed off from 10th, in 5th when fell heavily last, in a race won by Marc of Brilliance (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in May, 6 ran.
Cardinal James (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out when challenging, mistake last, one pace and edged left flat, 2nd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Cantabilly (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Posh Emily 4-1fav (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 8th of 13, 26l behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Lepido (ITY) 7-1 (11-2) Raced wide, held up in rear, good headway 6th, driven in 3rd after 3 out, effort on outside to challenge when not fluent 2 out, strong challenge and every chance from last until found no extra and held final 110 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Silver Accord (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Amuse Me 2-5fav (11-9) Not fluent 1st, in touch in mid-division, headway after 5th, hit 3 out, going well when led narrowly 2 out, nudged ahead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct beating Carrig An Uisce (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Uncle Bunge (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon every chance, no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Rimini (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Dalrymple (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, in touch, hampered 3rd, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 14, 31l behind Present To You (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Sail And Return 14-1 (10-7) Led and took keen hold, blundered and headed 5th, weakened after 3 out, in 4th when not fluent last, 4th of 10, 15l behind Clu Agus Cail (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Celtic Ballad (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Miss Saffron (10-13) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
