mid-division, effort to chase leaders, when hit 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
behind until kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, mistake and lost place 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, not fluent last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, lost 2nd towards finish
held up behind, headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, ridden flat, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, hit 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened 2 out
with leader, led 6th, made rest, ridden and stayed on to go clear flat
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
hit 1st, mid-division on outside, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
led 6th, chased winner, lost place 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
A tight handicap with just 10lb between top and bottomweights and RIVER ARDECHE is our recommendation with Scale Bank and Bracken Lad taken as the dangers. Pat Haslam looks to have been very careful in his handling of the Elndaim gelding as rather than taking in novice engagements, he has stuck to campaigning on the flat. A second to Elk Trail at Catterick reads well and the useful Michael O'Connell takes off five. Scale Bank was well supported here last month. His better form is over further but this race could develop into a real old slog. Bracken Lad is making a first step into handicap company. Soft ground suits. Tarkani was thumped 11lb by the assessor for victory at Worcester. In truth, it was little better than a selling plate so he needs to have improved in order to take a hand. Houston Dynimo achieved a decent mark on the flat when trained by Kevin Prendergast. He is yet to show too much for Nicky Richards though could have benefitted for being rested over the summer. December Sun makes a long journey from County Wexford to take his chances. Still At Lunch looks plenty high enough in the weights and it could pay to look elsewhere. River Ardeche is the pick.
Scale Bank (IRE) 10-3fav (11-11) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
December Sun (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Led, headed from 3 out, soon no extra, 13th of 22, 16l behind Orange Touch (10-7) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens02 gd in Oct.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Held up, headway before 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 10, 13l behind Well Disguised (9-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Tarkani (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 7th, led 2 out, ridden clear when edged left flat, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Oct beating Nautical Approach (11-8) by 8l, 13 ran.
River Ardeche 3-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced when hampered before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Calculaite (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Bracken Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 36l behind Scolboa Music Man (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Anay Car (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until approaching 5th where mistake, outpaced approaching 2 out, no impression after, hung left flat, 4th of 12, 11l behind Skylancer (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Cassius (IRE) 13-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar beating Bewery Man (11-2) by hd, 18 ran.
Domino Dancer (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) In touch, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Viscount Rossini (10-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
Still At Lunch (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led, headed 2 out, weakened after last, 7th of 11, 11l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Hawksbury Heights 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led last, headed towards finsih, 2nd of 11, ns behind Cast Iron Casey (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Hill Billy Rock (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 12, 50l behind Now This Is It (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Bocciani (GER) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind A Little Different (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
