prominent, headway to press leader 3 out, soon led and ridden, 1 length ahead 2 out, 2 lengths ahead approaching last, kept on run-in
midfield, 2 lengths down 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened approaching last
took keen hold, led, pressed for lead 3 out, soon ridden and headed, 1 length down 2 out, 2 lengths down approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
held up in rear, took closer order 3 out, soon ridden, 4 lengths down in 3rd 2 out, kept on run-in, nearest finish
NonRunner
Elham Valley was entered in a seller at Stratford yesterday. Sermando is back hurdling after a couple of runs over fences but is the senior runner in this. Watergrange Jack is on a roll and goes for the hat-trick but SHALLOW RIVER is fancied to make a winning start for a new yard having finished second at Market Rasen and Perth over the summer. Icare Grandchamp has plenty to prove returning from a lay-off.
Watergrange Jack (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Ile De Jersey (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Shallow River (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Held up in 3rd, not fluent 4 out and soon chased clear leader, mistake 3 out and pushed along, ridden and tried to close 2 out, kept on, never on terms with winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Malangen (10-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Icare Grandchamp (FR) 14-1 (12-1) Towards rear, dropped away tamely after 3 out, soon well behind, pulled up after 2 out, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Sermando (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Towards rear, pushed along in last 5th, behind 12th, pulled up before 3 out, at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Elham Valley (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, last of 6, 12 3/4l behind Clearance (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
