held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, effort next, when 2nd approaching last, kept on one pace
led, headed 5th, remained prominent, ridden 2 out, 7 lengths down in 3rd and held when fell last
chased leaders, losing place when mistake 6th, soon lost touch
held up in rear, blundered 1st, pushed along 3 out, mistake next, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 2 out, ridden and one pace when left 3rd last
in touch, headway and close up 5th until weakened 4 out
close up, led 5th, made rest, stayed on strongly
always behind
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and weakened next
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, mistake 5 out, some headway 3 out, no impression when left 4th last
Manoubi can defy topweight at the expense of Adolphus, Yankee Holiday and Gipsy Cricketer to name but three. Manoubi had the distinction of beating Inglis Drever on the level at Hamilton three years ago, but since leaving Sir Michael Stoute, he has not really hit the heights over hurdles. However, he has shown a bit of promise since going chasing, and will be all the better for his last run at Cartmel. That was over much further, and to be fair he shaped well in second place, so with less distance to hump 11st 12lb around, he is taken to come good. Adolphus was brought down in the Aintree Foxhunter, and will be all the better for a run between the flags, while Yankee Holiday looks like he needs more of a test on the evidence so far. Gipsy Cricketer has kept good company throughout the summer though, and it would be no surprise if he were to be involved in the finish. Nothing really stands out here, and only a small vote of confidence goes the way of Manoubi.
Manoubi 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, went 2nd 5 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Topinambour (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gf in Aug.
Risky Way 10-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jallastep (10-2) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 6 ran.
Apadi (USA) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, lost place approaching 3 out, 4th of 10, 30l behind Peter's Imp (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Aug.
Gipsy Cricketer 7-2 (10-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden after last, weakened towards finish, 4th of 7, 8l behind Schinken Otto (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Adolphus (IRE) 7-2 (12-5) Led 15th until hdd nr fin, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Themanfromcarlisle (12-5) at Mosshouses 3m ptp gd in May.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Keen early and led 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, headed next, weakening when blundered last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Arresting (11-8) at Perth 2m beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Valuable (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by General Alarm (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (4) gf, 10 ran.
Super Dolphin 9-2 (10-4) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Magico (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
