in touch until outpaced 3 out
pulled hard, led 2nd to 6th, every chance 2 out, no extra approaching last
in touch, led 3 out, drew clear after next, stayed on strongly
jumped right and unseated rider 1st
in touch until weakened approaching 2 out
led to 2nd, dropped rear 6th, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, disputed lead 6th to 7th, effort 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway 3 out, effort next, no extra under pressure
towards rear, headway and effort approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
soon behind
close up, led 6 out to 3 out, weakened 2 out
pulled hard in rear, headway 3 out, weakened next
Random Native is nominated as our selection here with I'm Your Man and Rothbury the main dangers. The selection was an easy winner over this course and distance last time and we see no reason to desert him. A wind operation seems to have worked the oracle with him and with ground conditions to suit he gets the vote. I'm Your Man won well at Perth last time when beating Compton Dragon but he may not be as good over this longer trip so we will pass him over for that reason. Rothbury is perhaps flattered by his rating and he was a little disappointing last time at Bangor, so he may be best watched at present. Hold The Bid is best on more testing ground and for the winner we will return to Random Native.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway halfway, challenged 2 out, hit last, ridden and every chance flat, held near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Himalayan Trail (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) hvy in May.
Rothbury 5-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind The Rocking Dock (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in May.
I'm Your Man 4-1fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, headway to lead before 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf beating Compton Dragon (10-7) by 4l, 11 ran.
Hapthor 25-1 (9-12) Towards rear, headway and close up 5th, led 7th, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Lord On The Run (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Leadaway 10-3fav (10-10) In touch, effort approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, 5th of 12, 10l behind Random Native (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Bargain Hunt (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, headway and in touch when sprawled badly and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Random Native (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May, 12 ran.
Paperchaser 28-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, lost fluent 5th, headway 6th, ridden to chase leader between last 2, kept on flat, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Barney (9-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in May.
Random Native (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led before last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Lord On The Run (11-2) by 5l, 12 ran.
