made all, challenged when hit 2 out, hard ridden and kept on under pressure
held up in rear, never jumped well, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on well approaching last never nearer
tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
tracked winner, every chance 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 6th, under pressure next, driven to challenge 3 out, soon every chance, one pace approaching last
MARSOOL and Takelli are the two to concentrate on as they appear to have little to fear from the remainder. Alittlemoreflair and Dark Oasis were average performers on the level who are best watched as their attentions are switched to jumping whilst there's little encouragement to be gleaned from the hurdling efforts of Highland Storm, Richo and Tricky Trev. Takelli showed next to nothing on his first attempt but made the most of the drop in grade when showing improved form to take a claimer at Stratford when fitted with a combination of aids. He may be capable of making further progress. Marsool posted a fair effort on debut behind Forty Thirty (who has won again since) before building on the run with victory at Newton Abbot. He made most of the running that day and was never threatened; this track should suit his style of racing and Marsool could be hard to peg back.
Marsool 5-4fav (10-12) Made all and took keen hold, not fluent 6th, clear from 2 out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep beating Niceonefrankie (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Dark Oasis 28-1 (7-9) Hung right throughout, led, ridden and headed over 8f out, weakened 6f out, last of 5, well behind Sally Forth (8-13) at Southwell 2m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Aug (flat).
Highland Storm 150-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 4th, tailed off from 3 out, 14th of 15, well behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Richo 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 35l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Tricky Trev (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Always in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3rd, lost touch 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Forty Thirty (11-4) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf in Sep.
Alittlemoreflair 8-1 (7-12) Led, ridden and quickened 4f out, soon strongly pressed, headed over 2f out, still disputing well held 2nd 2f out, gradually weakened, last of 5, 16l behind Veiled (9-5) at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep (flat).
Takelli (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway to track leaders after 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well flat, won at Stratford 2m 3yo clm hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Graysland (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.