towards rear and mistakes, went poor 5th before 3 out, in 4th when left 3rd last, never dangerous
with leader, in 3rd and no impression before last, soon left poor 2nd
always towards rear
made all, pressed from 2 out, joined at last, soon left clear
held up in touch, left 2nd 2 out, upsides winner and going well when fell last
close up, challenged when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders, weakened before 11th, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
This won't take much winning and it would be no surprise if Friendly Royal were to prove a better chaser than hurdler. Solway Legend won over 3m here in June and has also won twice at Perth this year of varying ground. Scorpions Sting was beaten less than four lengths when fourth at Kelso on his chasing bow but PRESENT FLIGHT (NAP) looks the one to be on. He carries a penalty for scoring at Kelso but won easily that day and, lightly-raced, looks to have a decent future over the larger obstacles.
Scorpions Sting (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Prominent, joined leader 3 out, led next, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace, no extra and dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Beidh Tine Anseo (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Present Flight (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Close up, mistake 1st, challenged 2 out, soon led, ran on well, eased towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Derryfadda (11-4) by 11l, 7 ran.
Amilliontimes (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, in touch when bad mistake and lost ground 4 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Monbeg River (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Friendly Royal (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Led until approaching 3 out, mistake next, weakened, 5th of 10, 25 1/4l behind Lord Wishes (11-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Solway Legend 4-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent 11th (water), headway before 13th, outpaced 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 8, 16 1/2l behind Bertie Milan (10-13) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Kilmainham (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, in touch before 4 out, soon pushed along and beaten, modest 4th from 3 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Solway Legend (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Emkae (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, fell 4th, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Harleys Max 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch in rear, headway to dispute lead after 4th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no chance with easy winner after, tailed off, 2nd of 4, 37l behind Alto Des Mottes (11-0) at Hexham 3m mdn (5) hvy in May.
Agricultural 28-1 (10-3) Led 2nd, headed before 12th, weakening when blundered and unseated rider next, at Perth 3m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Top Cat Dj (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Chased leaders to 10th, behind and outpaced 5 out, plugged on from 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 17l behind Jack Albert (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Mia Matriarch 10-1 (11-12) Chsd ldrs til wknd 13; t.o & pu 15, at Alnwick 3m mdn sft in Jan.
