held up in rear, not fluent 4th, driven and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on to go modest 3rd between last 2, never near leading pair
raced wide, held up in 5th, struggling 13th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, lost place 9th, headway and in touch 12th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led next, ridden 4 lengths clear last, stayed on to go well clear flat
led to before 4th, tracked leader, hit 7th, lost place after 13th, soon struggling, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 14th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader, led before 4th, mistake 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, 4 lengths down and well held last, weakened flat
The consistent RECKLESS VENTURE gets the marginal vote in a weak race. Lucinda Russell's gelding will be race-fit after a run here earlier in the month when a fair second to Overquest, who ran well in defeat yesterday, and if building on that run (perhaps even repeating it) then he should go close. Benbeoch is a good front-runner on his day, Adrianeo is respected as he ran well at Perth in August, whilst Sierra Victor should go close with the step back up in trip not against him. Dougall needs something magic if he is to feature, and a bigger danger might be Panthers Run despite stamina worries.
Benbeoch 16-1 (11-13) Soon tracked winner until ridden approaching last, weakened final 100 yards, 8th of 13, 11l behind Moment of Madness (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (6) gf in May.
Adrianeo (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Close up, tracked leaders 7th, led 12th, pressed from 3 out, headed last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Twelve Paces (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Sierra Victor (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, challenged last, disputed lead with winner flat, just held post, 2nd of 5, ns behind Baily Storm (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Led 2nd, headed after 6th, led 9th until 11th, left chasing winner 3 out, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 8, 17l behind Overquest (11-3) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Dougall (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, 5th and in touch 15th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Cape Tribulation (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs.
Murphys Beau (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Led until 2nd, led after 6th until 9th, led 11th, headed when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 8, 41l behind Overquest (11-3) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Panthers Run 9-2 (10-7) Held up in close 5th, pushed along after 8th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, 25l behind Janal (9-7) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.