narrow leader, raced keenly, ridden and headed after 3 out, beaten when jumped left last, kept trying flat
held up towards rear, headway to chase leading pair approaching 3rd, went 2nd 8th until ridden after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, pushed along after 8th, dropped last 9th, soon weakened
with leader until jumped slowly 8th, soon pushed along, ridden next, weakened 3 out
not fluent, towards rear, mistakes 5th and 7th, progress before next, went 2nd after 9th, led after 3 out, edged right between last 2, driven out
chased leaders, ridden 9th, beaten before 2 out, stepped at last
held up in last, raced keenly, not fluent 1st or 4th, headway after 9th, pushed along and disputing 2nd 2 out, soon hard ridden and lugged right, switched right and weakened flat
A poor opener where GRAND BAY is suggested to get the better of Orchard King and Amazing Valour. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained selection showed an improvement on recent form when stepped up to three miles at Worcester last time, finishing runner-up when the ground was described as good. There is concern that he has never yet won on fast ground, but he does look to still have the potential for a bit more improvement on only his third start for the stable and we will side with him. Orchard King was a course and distance winner from a 7lb lower mark in August and acts well on fast ground. Although still high enough in the weights now he has to be considered a threat in such a moderate affair. Amazing Valour is another to have won here, in his case last week, and from 7lbs higher today he should be thereabouts with conditions to his taste. Phone In is now back on an attractive enough mark, but although he goes well on the ground and has plenty of stamina, he has gone up a harsh-looking 5lbs for losing last time. Solway Minstrel needs a further drop in the weights and we will just give the nod to Grand Bay.
Solway Minstrel 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, one pace from last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Oscar Glory (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Phone In 5-1fav (10-8) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, outpaced 2 out, switched right and rallied approaching last, led flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Willies Way (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Old Peak Road (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 11, 20l behind Milesian King (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Tora Bora (GER) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th to 10th, weakened next, 7th of 14, 38l behind Esme Rides A Gaine (10-0) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Orchard King (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st, blundered badly 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Templer (10-6) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Amazing Valour (IRE) 4-1fav (11-6) Led after 2nd, driven before 3 out, strongly challenged next, stayed on well under pressure, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf beating Tarvini (11-9) by nk, 11 ran.
Grand Bay (USA) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, hanging left after last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Synonymy (10-6) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sep.
