held up mid-division, smooth headway 4th, challenged on bit 2 out, led last, ridden clear flat, eased towards finish easily
soon behind, reminders 3rd, tailed up when pulled up before 4 out
held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
in touch, led 2nd to 4th, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon no impression
in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and lost place, behind when pulled up before 2 out
jumped slowly 1st, mistakes and soon detached in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never near leaders
held up, headway 4 out, driven to chase leaders after next, no impression approaching last
with leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
tracked leaders, joined leader 4th, led 3 out, headed last, ridden and stayed on same pace flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, never on terms
led to 2nd, remained in touch, lost place 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
JOSEPHINE MALINES looks the safest bet in this affair though Merrion Tiger and Bivouac make a modicum of appeal. Ann Duffield's charge takes a drop in grade this afternoon having raced in novice events during the summer. She is a daughter of Inchinor so the surface should not represent much of an issue. Merrion Tiger has been poor on the flat but he has the physicality of a hurdler and were there to be any money for him; it should be noted. Bivouac has been disappointing on the level recently though would still be a plausible type for this engagement. Noble Vic has shown nothing under rules though his trainer is a dab hand at getting one ready for these contests. Solis and Tipsy Indian are regular visitors to the basement grades. Shaylee gets the fillies allowance and would be a big player today if the ills of her recent experience at Towcester have been erased from her memory. Grand Diamond is best of the rest. Strong on numbers but weak in quality comes to mind but for the winner, we offer up Josephine Malines.
Bivouac (UAE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 10l behind Kind Heart (8-5) at Redcar 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in Sep (flat).
Bollin Dennis 6-1 (10-7) Strugg 7; to, 5th of 15, 43l behind Sea Scout (10-7) at Overton 2m 4f ptp gd in Mar '07.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Led, headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Nocturnal Knight (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Josephine Malines 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led before 2nd, mistake next, headed before last, ridden and kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Quivvy Bridge (11-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Merrion Tiger (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Behind, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 10, 30l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov '08.
Noble Vic (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Fell 2nd, in a race won by Skylancer (11-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Solis (GER) 10-1 (10-5) Behind and early reminders, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Still Calm 100-1 (10-11) In rear, keen, mid-division when hit 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 16, 25l behind King In Waiting (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Tipsy Indian 20-1 (10-12) Held up mid-divison, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 49l behind Teviot Lass (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Treeko (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, in 7th and well held when stumbled badly on bend after 2 out, 8th of 12, 29l behind Sarahs Gift (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sep.
Be Smart (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway from 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 12, 28l behind Orbital Orchid (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Keep Attacking (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Brought down 1st, in a race won by Courella (10-12) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gf in Aug, 16 ran.
Shaylee 5-1 (10-10) Chased leaders weakened 3 out pulled up before next, in a race won by Asturienne (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
