tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, led and pecked 4 out, in command from next, ridden clear
behind, unseated rider 2nd
in touch, hit 9th, ridden and hit 13th, losing touch when blundered 15th, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
behind, mistake 3rd, hit 6th, under pressure 8th, soon ridden and lost touch, pulled up before 10th
behind, driven along 8th, mistake 14th, went poor 3rd 3 out, no chance when jumped right last
held up in touch, steady headway to track leading pair 15th, went 2nd before and hit 3 out, soon driven, no impression
tended to jump right, pecked 10th, soon headed, chased leader, led 13th, pecked 4 out and headed soon after, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened
chased leader, led after 10th to 13th, weakened 15th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, jumped right 7th, jumped right and unseated rider next
behind, mistakes, reminder 6th, blundered 12th, lost touch when pulled up before 4 out
Top Dawn get the vote in the finale with September Moon and Granite Man both worth noting. The selection has been raised seven pounds for his latest success which looks fair as he did win the race well. He did pull up at Towcester the time before but that track can find its victims. He won at Plumpton prior to that and although life will be tough for him from now on we feel he can win again. September Moon carries top weight and ran respectably in a Towcester handicap last time out. His form is consistent but he rarely gets his head in front and is becoming frustrating so is to be treated with caution. Granite Man is inconsistent but connections are always respected. Two summers ago he was on fire scoring four times but has been disappointing ever since. That said he showed promise two runs ago to finish third of thirteen at Stratford only to pull up at Market Rasen thereafter so is another to treat with caution. So for the winner we return to Top Dawn.
September Moon 7-2fav (11-5) Prominent, ran in snatches, not fluent 7th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Lucky Luk (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Silent Man (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Led to 6th, weakened 11th, blundered 11th, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Saunders Road (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Castlemore (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Prominent, lost place before 6th, in rear after, 8th of 10, well behind Lucky Luk (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Top Dawn (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, just held on, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Sovereign's Joy (11-10) by a shd, 17 ran.
On Y Va (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Refused to race, took no part refused to race in race won by Barren Lands (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gf, 13 ran.
Granite Man (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Chased leaders and mistakes, ridden and blundered 9th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Ravenscar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Optimistic Alfie 11-2 (10-2) Chased leading pair, blundered 6th and reminder, mistake and dropped last 9th, gradually lost touch approaching 12th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Carryduff (11-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Marado (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Lost touch 9th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by James Pine (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd, 13 ran.
One Step Closer (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always towards rear and pulled up 2 out in race won by Apocalozzo (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs (5) gf, 15 ran.
Humble Jim (IRE) 22-1 (9-12) Mid-division, not fluent 10th, ridden after 13th, soon weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Arceye (10-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
