led, clear when mistake 2 out, headed flat, kept on same pace
disputed 2nd, outpaced, not fluent 2 out, rallied approaching last, led flat, kept on
towards rear, struggling halfway, outpaced when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
disputed 2nd, pushed along and dropped rear 8th, soon tailed off
held up in touch, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out until effort approaching last, no extra under pressure
Rare Society has obvious claims and gets a confident vote over Somedo Somedont and City Music. This race has cut up badly, and the scene is set for Rare Society to repeat May's course-and-distance victory, despite having to shoulder a penalty. Sue Smith's nine-year-old has since been in winning form over fences, scoring at Worcester and more recently, Sedgefield. The fast ground is very much in his favour, as is the trip, and this should be little more than an exercise canter before he goes back over fences. Apart from his stablemate City Music, the rest have lengthy absences to overcome, but Somedo Somedont may have a bit of scope, and is partnered by Dominic Elsworth, who of course normally rides for the selection's stable. All in all, this is best left to Rare Society, albeit at a short price.
Rare Society (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) In touch, led 11th, quickened 15th, ridden between last 2, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug beating Now Then Sid (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
City Music (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Soon behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by First Cry (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug, 10 ran.
King Amber 80-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Midnight Creek (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m sll hdl (G) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Nectar De Guye (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up behind, pushed along approaching 7th, soon weakened, 8th of 19, well behind Canada Street (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Somedo Somedont 11-2 (11-4) Unruly start, chased leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mam Ratagan (11-4) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.