in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, weakened 4f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
in touch, headway to track leaders over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on
held up, ridden over 3f out, one pace
tracked leader, ridden 4f out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
always towards rear
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on
Nonrunner
In the finale, Royal Jasra is suggested ahead of Demisemiquaver and Russain Invader. Despite having been put in her place by Sue's Surprise at Chester last time, with overall form rating in the low 70s, Demisemiquaver cannot be ruled out of a bold showing here in a run-of-the-mill event. Emily's Rainbow - one of two WilLiam Haggas-trained runners in the race - has breeding that makes her an interesting newcomer, while Granary showed enough at Newbury last time to be afforded some thought. It is fascinating to see the 12-times National Hunt winner - including at Grade 1 level over hurdles - Refinement line up here and the betting should be watched with great interest, while Royal Jasra's Newcastle maiden second on his racecourse debut marks him down as competitive, not least because he should improve a good bit on that run. Finally, Russian Invader failed to build on Turf debut promise at Kempton last time although, back on Turf, he cannot entirely be ruled out, and Still Calm was noted making late headway on her Chester debut last time and improvement over today's longer trip is not ruled out. For the selection, though, we return to Royal Jasra.
Refinement (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, 7th and progress 4 out, 4th and ridden 2 out, headway on outer approaching last, led early run-in, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Powerstation (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran (N.Hunt).
Fara's Kingdom 100-1 (9-3) Prominent to over 4f out, last of 10, 36l behind Filios (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Oct.
Mysterious World (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 12l behind Zifaaf (8-10) at Pontefract 1m mdn stk (4) gs in Aug.
Royal Jasra 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway 3f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Spell Casting (9-11) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Russian Invader (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Led until over 10f out, weakened over 3f out, eased when no chance final 2f, tailed off, 10th of 14, 37l behind Longspur (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Aug.
Still Calm 8-1 (9-3) Steadied start, behind, kept on final furlong, never trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 9l behind Plane Painter (9-3) at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept '06.
Emily's Rainbow (IRE) Rainbow Quest filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Granary 33-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and effort 3f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 7l behind Kahara (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gd in Aug.
Llizaam 100-1 (8-12) Always in rear, 9th of 10, 27l behind View From The Top (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Aug.
Pearl (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 5, 10l behind Twilight Star (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Jul.
Demisemiquaver 3-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner and reminder over 5f out, challenged over 3f out until 2f out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Sues Surprise (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gf in Aug.
