mid-division, ridden 9th, soon outpaced, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd flat
held up last, headway 8th, chased leader 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, comfortably
chased leader, led 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra from last
prominent, ridden 4 out, blundered 2 out, pulled up quickly afterwards
always in rear, pulled after 10th
mid-division, ridden after 9th, mistake 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden 10th, weakened after
led to 11th, ridden and weakened after 12th
prominent, led 11th to 4 out, soon ridden, one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakening when fell 12th
in touch, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 11th
held up towards rear, mistake and saddle slipped 3rd, pulled up before 5th
Hurler's Cross has plenty of weight but lines up in such good form that he must be followed again to beat the likes of Lusaka De Pembo, Johnston's Swallow and Lik Wood Power. Hurler's Cross has been a revelation of late, winning three of his last four starts, the latest of which came at Plumpton last month. He travelled well on the bridle that day, and there was only ever going to be one winner as he cruised into the lead on the home turn. He is blessed with plenty of stamina, but has also won round here before, and with Michael Murphy's claim helping to offset his burden of 12st 9lb, more success is in the offing before the handicapper takes a total grip. Lusaka De Pembo showed promise earlier in the season but was beaten on merit at Bangor and might just need to come down the weights, while Johnston's Swallow has also gone off the boil, and has been given a month off to regather his energy. With Tony McCoy on board it would be no surprise if he were to figure here. Of the remainder, Lik Wood Power is at the right end of the racecard so is worth a mention, but for the winner it just has to be Hurlers Cross.
Hurlers Cross (IRE) 9-4fav (10-5) In touch, chased leaders 7th, challenging when after 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept beating Acertack (10-1) by 13l, 8 ran.
L'Oiseau (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, soon lost place, no danger after, 6th of 12, 23l behind Spare Change (9-10) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Lusaka De Pembo (FR) 7-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, stayed on same pace 2 out, 4th of 18, 6l behind Full On (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Novi Sad (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Not fluent, led, headed and mistake 4th, led again after 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 9, 14l behind Bobsbest (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f sll hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Jan '05.
Oaklawn (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 5 out, weakening when mistake 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Medicinal (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 1f chs hvy in Jul, 8 ran.
Johnston's Swallow (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until after 11th, 9th of 11, 40l behind Donovan (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
The Newsman (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 6th, behind 9th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Cape Stormer (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Bill Owen 16-1 (11-5) Always behind, 6th of 15, 23l behind Lost In Normandy (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Sept.
Lik Wood Power (NZ) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 2nd to 2 out, edged right approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Roussea (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs (5) gf in Sept.
Fiftyseven Chev (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Jumped right, led until 7th, prominent when fell at the 10th in race won by The Teuchter (10-6) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Aug, 6 ran.
Lambrini Mist 25-1 (9-10) Prominent until blundered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Hurlers Cross (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug, 16 ran.
Dundonald 80-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 13th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Joe Lively (11-6) at Lingfield 3m beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Mid-division, lost place after 5th, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Beauchamp Prince (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr, 12 ran.
