in touch, mistake 3rd, weakening when jumped slowly 4th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, held up in rear, jumped left and bumped 1st, no chance from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, driven and beaten after 3 out, one pace after
led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch on outside, weakened after 4th, behind after
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway after 4th, ridden and weakened after next
mid-division, headway 4th, beaten but disputing 2nd when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
raced keenly, always prominent, led going well 3 out, drew clear from 2 out easily
mid-division, struggling after 4th
held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon struggling
chased leader, led approaching 3rd, headed when hit 3 out, no chance with winner from 2 out, lost 2 places flat
raced keenly, disputing last when jumped right and bumped 1st, jumped right 3rd, always behind
took keen hold, mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
The Evan Williams-trained Postmaster is rated just 2lbs higher than Tony Carroll's Goldan Jess on BHA ratings and there should not be a great deal to choose between the two of them this afternoon and both have to be respected but marginal preference is for MOTARJM. Hugh Collingridge's gelding was useful on the level and was running a reasonable race on his hurdling debut until being brought down at the last at Stratford in June. He should learn form that effort and looks the percentage call. Oceana Gold has some decent form in handicaps over a mile for Andrew Balding and is an interesting newcomer to the winter game for Emma Lavelle. He makes more appeal than the John Jenkins-trained Mid Valley, who seemingly has place claims at best. Simply Sunshine was highly tried on the level but has not been seen for three years and he is probably best watched on his first start over hurdles for his new handler Oliver Sherwood. This looks a decent novices' hurdle and the vote goes to Motarjm.
Feeling (IRE) 125-1 (10-7) Held up well in rear, no chance from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Rising Force (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jul, 11 ran.
Flagstone (USA) 40-1 (10-11) Held up, never near leaders, 7th of 14, 25l behind Mizen Raven (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Goldan Jess (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, in touch, hit 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 9l behind Dalaram (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Sept.
Government (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Chrysander (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sept, 15 ran.
Great Expense 125-1 (10-5) Mid-division and keen, weakened 7th, 10th of 13, well behind Ogee (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Mid Valley 15-2 (10-12) Pulled hard, held up, closer order after 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, 13l behind Wyeth (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Motarjm (USA) 6-1 (10-11) Raced keenly in touch, chased winner approaching 3 out until just before 2 out, just over 3 lengths in 3rd when brought down at the last in race won by Golan Way (11-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Oceana Gold 16-1 (8-5) Raced wide in centre, prominent to halfway, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 20th of 29, 25l behind Mr Aviator (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcap (2) gf in Jun (Flat).
Royal Flyer (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, held up behind, struggling 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Maslak (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Three Thieves (UAE) 14-1 (10-1) Behind, driven and headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 8th of 13, 8l behind dhtrs Trigger's Friend (9-5) & Wait For The Will (10-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Jun (Flat).
My Mirasol 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Strike Force (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept (Flat).
Petite Pistolet (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Held up, raced keenly, no chance before 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Sliotar (11-8) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 11 ran.
Quamerone (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Behind, moderate headway from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 14, 15l behind Dancing Dasi (10-12) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Postmaster 15-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, led 3 out, hit 2 out, headed before last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 3l behind King's Head (11-2) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Silver Blue (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, 24l behind Maslak (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Simply Sunshine (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 27l behind Dubai Surprise (8-9) at Leicester 1m 3yo fll (4) gf in Oct '05 (Flat).
