chased leading pair until weakened approaching 7th, soon behind
held up in last pair, headway 7th, went 3rd on inside 2 out, 2nd at the last, ridden and no chance with winner run-in
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, 4th when hit 2 out, held when hung left before mistake last, weakened
flattened 1st, led, hit 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened quickly, poor 5th when pulled up before last
held up in 4th, tracked leading pair before 7th, 2nd before 2 out, led between last two, ridden clear before last, kept on strongly
chased leader, reminder after 6th, led before 2 out, hung left under pressure and headed between last two, well held when mistake and lost 2nd at the last, hung left and weakened run-in
Spring Steel has been making hay over fences and can race off his chase mark back over hurdles, though his record over the smaller obstacles is very ordinary. DESERTER had no answer to the finishing speed of No Ceiling at Southwell 11 days ago but the return to a longer trip is in his favour and the five-year-old can recoup losses. Ablazing couldn't cope with the step up to 2m4f at Worcester and Grams And Ounces is also better over 2m. Civil War reappears following a lengthy absence but Bobble Emerald could figure if back on song.
Grams And Ounces 10-1 (11-6) Held up in touch towards rear, effort 4 out, outpaced next, rallied last, edged right flat, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Excellent Team (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Ablazing (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent and lost place 2nd, headway when jumped left 3 out, driven and edged left 2 out, hung left flat, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Jigsaw Financial (10-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Civil War (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Fitzwilly (8-7) at Goodwood 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Bobble Emerald (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced between last 2, soon ridden, no impression before last, 4th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Dynamic Drive (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Deserter (IRE) 6-5fav (11-9) Behind, headway after 4 out, effort to challenge 2 out, went clear 2nd between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind No Ceiling (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Spring Steel (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, mistake next, led 6th, mistake 7th, hit 8th and headed, not fluent 4 out, 2 1/2 lengths 2nd and driven when left clear 2 out, in no danger after, won at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Vexillum (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
