led until before last, not pace to challenge winner
prominent, driven 6th, lost place next, tailed off and pulled up before last
always behind
chased leaders, lost place approaching 7th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, lost placed when mistake 6th, tailed off 2 out
in rear, tracking leaders 6th, one pace approaching last
in rear, moderate headway 7th, chased leaders 2 out, one pace approaching last
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, weakened last
in rear, always behind
held up in rear, tracking leaders 6th, headway to lead on bit approaching last, soon clear, comfortably
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, weakened before last
Lahib The Fifth is better than he has shown in his last couple of starts but it is hard to back Nicky Richards runner with any confidence and a safer option looks to be SUPER ROSS, who gets the vote ahead of Insignia. The last mentioned was in the process of running an improved race until falling three out in a Uttoxeter seller last time and he has to be respected in what seems a poor contest. Micky Hammond's Snow's Ride has claims on the pick of his form but has been well held in recent starts so he looks best watched and of more interest may be Sue Smith's Izzykeen, who takes a drop in class today. Gordon Elliott's Cooksgrove Lady is less exposed than most of these after just six career starts, only two of which have been over hurdles and he has to be considered. Preference though is for Super Ross, who has won two of his last three starts for Evan Williams and he is taken to score again.
Super Ross (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Made all, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gs in May beating Art Gallery (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Insignia (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until after next, close 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Woody Valentine (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gs in May, 9 ran.
Amjad 40-1 (10-1) Steadied start, held up, always behind, 9th of 12, 29l behind Hunting Tower (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Graphex 9-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 12, 38l behind Southern Bazaar (10-1) at Catterick 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Feb '07.
Izzykeen 7-1 (10-5) Led, headed 5th, soon lost place, behind from next, 10th of 12, 34l behind Ben Britten (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun '08.
Lahib The Fifth (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, mistake 3rd, ridden and lost place 6th, continued completely tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Heavenly Chorus (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 3yo+ (4) gd in Dec.
Royal Game 20-1 (10-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 35l behind Veiled Applause (11-10) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Snow's Ride 10-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 32l behind Ethan's Star (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hcp hdl (5) gf.
Stepchange (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 27l behind Mr Midaz (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Baby Sister 7-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, never on terms, 6th of 12, 35l behind Classic Quart (10-13) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Cooksgrove Lady (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway to 5th 3 out, ridden to challenge 4f out, no extra and weakened before 2 out where mistake, 5th of 14, 32l behind Ben Swift (10-13) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl gf.
Kalatime (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place approaching 3 out, last of 8, 45l behind Wensleydale Web (10-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs nov sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Seventh Sense 7-4 (11-12) Led; qcknd clr 3 out; hdd last; kpt on cl home, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Nina Chester (11-12) at Hexham 3m ptp in May.
Arctic Cove 11-2fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 14, 15l behind White Lightening (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.