keen tracked leader 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon lost place
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden to press winner next, unable to quicken flat
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led, ridden 3 out, headed next, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, joined leader 6th, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened approaching last
close up, led 2 out, ridden out
held up, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden next, weakening when hit last
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace
held up, hit 3rd, weakened before 3 out
This looks wide-open, though neither Party Rock nor Wily Fox have since May. Nathans Pride, who has won for his last five, was last seen in July but Harristown ran at Wincanton last week, though disappointed. FORTHEFUNOFIT (NAP) finished third in a handicap at Cheltenham in October that's worked out well. Very lightly-raced, he may still be well handicapped and can get back to winning ways. One For Harry and Daveron are others with more recent form that are entitled to respect but Dubawi Island needs to rediscover his best form and Midnight Appeal is having a confidence-booster before returning to chasing.
Nathans Pride (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 2 approaching 2 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Bellgrove (10-12) by 6l, 4 ran.
Party Rock (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 9, 4l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Harristown 7-1 (11-7) Held up, headway chasing leaders 4th, weakened before 6th, behind and pulled up, in a race won by Shammick Boy (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
One For Harry (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent and lost place 4th, reminders next, mistake 6th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 6, 16l behind Circus Star (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Midnight Appeal 11-2 (11-5) Held up, blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Ardkilly Witness (11-4) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Forthefunofit (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, headway 7th, challenged after 2 out, every chance last, stayed on flat, held by leading pair, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Ulzana's Raid (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (3) gs in Oct.
Dubawi Island (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced after 3 out, no chance after, mistake last, 6th of 8, 15l behind Sleepy Haven (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Daveron (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to challenge next, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression in 3rd before last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Oscar Sunset (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Wily Fox 16-1 (10-7) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway on outside 9th, led before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Dawn Commander (11-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
