led, headed 2nd, mistake and lost place 6th
in rear, blunderd 9th, soon beaten
keen and held up, improved 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on near finish
close up, beaten 3 out, led and pecked last, soon hung right, driven out
mid-division, improved 4 out, ridden 3 out, every chance when pecked last, no extra near finish
held up, mistake 4th and 5th, not trouble leaders
in rear, behind from 6th
in touch, chased leader after 5th, led after 7th, ridden 3 out, headed last, no extra near finish
led 2nd until 4th, mistake 9th, soon weakened
pulled hard, held up, headway to lead 4th, headed after 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
A tough race in which Moor Spirit, Nimby Run and Salinas all hold formbook chances and we side with Salinas. The selection ran a fair race at Ludlow on his latest start and provided that the ground does not become too sticky, he looks to have all the ticks in the right boxes. Moor Spirit will represent fair opposition. Effective between two and three miles, the handicapper does at least appear to be granting a modicum of respite. Nimby Run is exposed as being fairly ordinary. The ex-Irish gelding is now in the care of Ian Williams and will be in receipt of lumps of weight so any market confidence is noted. Armoury House was the subject of an on-course gamble at Southwell so it is likely that he is much better than his bare form suggests. Adecco is something of a reluctant hero over chase fences and is probably best opposed. Major Blade has ability but has issues in relation to consistency. Having considered the alternatives, Salinas is selected.
Moor Spirit 8-1 (11-12) Held up, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 38l behind Stormy Beech (11-1) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Salinas (GER) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Jarro (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Adecco (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up, mistake 8th, ridden and reluctant 4 out, left 3rd at last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Elgar (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Ground Breaker 80-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 1st, remained in touch until weakened after 7th, 4th of 6, well behind Twist Magic (10-5) at Fakenham 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Major Blade (GER) 10-3 (10-7) Chased leaders, chased winner 4 out, with winner and every chance when fell at the last in race won by Elgar (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 7 ran.
Major Belle (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, blundered 10th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 10, 29l behind Supreme Tadgh (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Oct.
Nimby Run (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Chased leader, led 3rd, mistaken and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Copper Bay (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 5 ran.
Un Autre Espere 28-1 (10-1) Chased leaders to 3 out, 16th of 20, well behind Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
