chased leaders, led approaching 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden after 3 out, 4th and beaten when pulled up before next (dismounted)
lost touch from 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway and hit 6th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
led until headed after 5th, weakened quickly next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, joined leader 8th, led on bit approaching 2 out, cruised clear, very easily
in touch until weakened rapidly after 5th, pulled up before next
always behind, tailed off from 5th
With Alison Thorpe still sending out the winners, hopes are high that Lucky Do can keep up the good work, with Hawadeth, Allaboveboard and Lightning Star the other main contenders. Since taking out a licence, Alison Thorpe has just got better and better, and her small Welsh stable is always worth following. Lucky Do gained his first win for the yard at Worcester in July when he seemed to benefit from a step up to two-and-a-half miles, but having had a break since, today's distance will be about as far as he wants to go. He drops down to claiming company again, having landed a similar contest for a different stable last year. Hawadeth also returns from a break but he will do well to find any improvement at the age of 11, likewise Lightning Star, although he does boast the most consistent form of the pair. It is asking a lot for him to be ready after such a long absence though, and a bigger danger to the selection may be Allaboveboard, a beaten favourite at Worcester last time, but prior to that, Peter Bowen's mare had reeled off a hat-trick and is dangerous to rule out. Any support for Gin Palace should be heeded as Gary Moore fits him with first-time blinkers, but for the winner we return to Lucky Do.
Allaboveboard (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Led to 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Chickapeakray (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Gin Palace (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, 6th and weakening when hampered last, 5th of 11, 20l behind Aberdeen Park (10-5) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Lucky Do (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, hit 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led flat, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jul beating Saafend Rocket (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Zinging 11-1 (8-8) Chased leaders until weakened over 2f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Makai (8-8) at Brighton 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gs in Oct (Flat).
Aegean Pirate (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Lennon (11-4) at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (1) gd in Oct, 4 ran.
Hawadeth 15-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before next, 8th of 11, 20l behind Moon Catcher (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Lightning Star (USA) 2-1fav (10-12) In touch and going well, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching last, not run on, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Outside Investor (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (F) gf in Sept '05.
Vino Venus 66-1 (10-7) Hampered 1st, behind when mistake 3rd, tailed off 6th, 9th of 14, well behind Almanshood (10-8) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
