held up, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden and outpaced from next
held up, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
raced keenly, behind, mistake 3rd, weakened from next
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
prominent to halfway, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, led after 3rd, reminders before next, driven and headed before last, ridden and kept on same pace, no chance with winner
pulled hard, led to after 3rd, weakened next, tailed off
held up, hit 4th, smooth headway to lead before last, shaken up and drew clear flat, comfortably
held up when fell 2nd
Plenty of guesswork involved here. Stop On was arguably the best of these on the flat but his first run over hurdles was fairly ignominious and so we will take a chance on the twice-raced RIVINGTON PIKE making it third time lucky with the cheek-pieces on for the first time. John Quinn is a good judge of horses under both codes and his three-year-old gelding has made a pleasing enough start to his hurdling career, filling second place on runs at Cartmel and Bangor. His best runs on the flat came on left-handed courses so the return to this direction should suit and with the cheek-pieces to sharpen him up, he may prove hard to beat. Flat ratings can often go out of the window when it comes to hurdling, and so all of the newcomers need respect, especially Rio Novo who looks the pick of the Howard Johnson duo on jockey bookings. Pavanne and Stop On need to step up on their first hurdles runs, so a bigger danger could be Victorias who improved from first to second runs and she may find this easier track in her favour. A tough puzzle to solve and we will plump for the experience of Rivington Pike.
Agglestone Rock 15-2 (8-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, every chance 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Silver Spruce (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo clm (5) gs in Apr (Flat).
Mardood 7-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 16l behind Moment's Notice (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) sft in May (Flat).
Midnite Blews (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Very slowly into stride, late progress from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 6l behind Night Prospector (8-11) at Bath 6f sll (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Pavanne (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Duke of Touraine (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Rio Novo 25-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never a factor, 6th of 7, 43l behind Art Trend (8-11) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gs in Jun (Flat).
Rivington Pike (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, reminders and outpaced after 4th, hit next, chased winner approaching last, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Wake Board (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Safari Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up, keen early, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 14l behind Natural Rhythm (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gs in Jul (Flat).
Silk Drum (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up, headway over 3f, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Caffari (8-8) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Stop On 20-1 (10-12) In rear, jumped slowly 1st, soon struggling, 6th of 7, well behind Wake Board (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Ceduna Roadhouse (IRE) 100-1 (7-10) Always in the rear, last of 7, 43l behind Danzatrice (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug (Flat).
Victorias 20-1 (10-5) In touch, led 2 out, headed last, weakened towards finish, 4th of 10, 3l behind Gulf Coast (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
