held up towards rear, in 8th and ridden approaching 2 out, kept on after last
led, headed after 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after last, no extra final 150 yards
held up mid-division, took keen hold, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened from last
with leader on inside, soon tracked leader, chance last, soon ridden, weakened final 100 yards
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway on inside after 2 out, kept on to chase winner final 100 yards, no impression
held up mid-division and keen, headway approaching 2 out, one pace from last, weakened final 150 yards
held up behind, effort 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up torwards rear and keen, headway on outer approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
chased leaders and keen on outer, weakened from last
held up in rear, blundered 2 out, ridden last, kept on flat
tracked leaders and keen, led after 2nd, mistake next, ridden after last, kept on well flat
held up towards rear and keen, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
chased leaders, lost place approaching 4th, hit next, tailed off when mistake 3 out
The new Kelso season kicks off with this race and it could go the way of SUMAK. Ferdy Murphy has a good record at the course and Sumak was a decent second when last seen in April behind one that is now rated 129. If returning from a summer break fresh and ready then he can win. Eventide is put up as a big threat as the trainer wouldn't send her from Ireland without a chance. Knock Three Times has only won once and is hard to fancy but that win was here this time last year in a juvenile novices' hurdle and maybe a return to the course may see some improvement for one that is bang out of form. Front Rank won at Cartmel in August but is possibly a little high in the weights after a disappointing effort last time, whilst previous course winner Cast Iron Casey may prefer this test over timber after some less than convincing chase performances. The value of Dream Risk's second to Play A Cord is questionable but of more concern is her ability to handle the ground if it becomes softer as her best performances have come on faster conditions. Although rated a real danger with the weather predictions yielding rain we side with one who acts with a variety of ground in Sumak.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway before 13th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 10, 41l behind Leac An Scail (10-7) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Front Rank (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Regent's Secret (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Sep.
Park's Prodigy 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 5 out, soon driven and tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Tell Henry (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov '08.
Dream Risk (FR) 2-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, led after 2 out, no extra last strides, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Play A Cord (9-11) at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Sumak (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, chased winner next, one pace, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Coastley (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f am nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Golden Future 11-2 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 4th, driven after 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 9, 20l behind Front Rank (9-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
Knock Three Times (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, well behind Cool Mission (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged 2nd, left in lead next, headed 4th, led after next, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace on extended flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Riverscape (10-5) at Perth 2m clm hdl (4) sft in Sep.
Eventide 5-1 (11-1) Slowly away and held up towards rear, 7th and progress after 3 out, 5th and no impression when slight mistake last, 5th of 13, 10l behind Whats Up Gorden (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-102 fm in Sep.
Long Distance (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, lost place 3 out, weakened flat, 8th of 14, 13l behind Emirates World (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Midnite Blews (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in last pair, headway 7th, soon ridden, jumped slowly 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, last of 5, 38l behind What's Up Doc (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jul.
Tiger King (GER) 4-1 (10-2) Held up in last, mistake 1st, lost touch 5th, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Calculaite (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep, 5 ran.
Lofty Leader (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off 2 out, 12th of 13, well behind Shopfrontspecialst (10-8) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
