patiently ridden in rear, steady headway on inside approaching 3 out, chased leaders before 2 out, ridden before last, weakened run-in
led until jumped slowly and headed 1st, chased leader until after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led last, driven out
held up in last pair, steady headway chasing leaders after 3 out, weakened last
bit keen, soon steadied in 6th, headway out wide and switched right between last two, every chance when not fluent last, stayed on run-in, always held
chased leader until 1st, chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on well run-in, not reach leaders
raced keenly tracking leaders, led 1st, headed last, ridden and weakened run-in
chased leaders out wide, weakened home turn
A winner here last month, The Navigator makes a quick reappearance after finishing down the field on the Flat at Nottingham on Wednesday. A winner at Hexham and Uttoxeter already this season, ONWARD ROUTE would probably have made a winning start over fences last month had he not tried to take the last by the roots. This may be a confidence-booster but he should still take all the beating. Evita Du Mesnil is well treated on his second to The Navigator at Musselburgh in March but he hasn’t raced since. Well Educated has been in excellent form so can’t be ignored despite a further 9lb rise.
The Navigator 22-1 (9-0) Bit awkwardly away, held up in mid-division, headway on inside 4f out, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 8th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Night Bear (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Onward Route (IRE) 1-2fav (11-9) Whipped round start, chased winner from 1st, slow normal 6 out, challenging when blundered badly last (normal 2 out), lost plenty of momentum and rider did well despite losing iron briefly, no impression after, 3rd of 4, 6 1/4l behind Saint Arvans (11-11) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Well Educated (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, led final bend, clear last, eased close home, won at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Pateen (11-0) by 14l, 7 ran.
Scots Poet 9-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, 4th and outpaced before last, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 8 3/4l behind Hurricane Ali (11-12) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Evita Du Mesnil (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Raced wide in touch, headway 2 out, ridden to lead next, headed flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind The Navigator (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Bollingerandkrug (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, no impression on leaders, 6th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Lock Down Luke (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Jackhammer (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, went left and awkward 2 out, no impression, 7th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Nayati (12-2) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
My Macho Man (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Keen in midfield, awkward 4th, ridden 2 out, mistake last, no extra, 4th of 9, 10l behind Annies Regatta (10-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
