held up behind leaders, closed 5th, weakened after 2 out
chased winner 2nd until after 2 out, no extra last
in rear, not fluent 7th, headway before 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression
held up behind leaders, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, no impression on winner
pressed winner until 2nd, slow 4th, lost place before 2 out
made all, clear after 2 out, slightly reduced lead last, stayed on
NonRunner
Ayr Of Elegance isn’t getting any younger and, like course and distance winner Balkalin, is hard to catch right. JIMMY RABBITTE deserves a change of luck and Brian Hughes keeps faith with the 10-year-old after another second at Perth. Darkest Day has finished second twice at that track since winning at Wetherby in March while there will be plenty of interest in I Am Spider Man given the Irish raider was a winner at Sedgefield when last visiting these shores. Call Me Harry was a decent sort in bumpers but he’s been hard to place over timber.
Rowdy Rustler (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, lost position and in rear 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 36 3/4l behind Hoganville (11-7) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in May.
Balkalin (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Prominent, led after 6th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Call Me Harry (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and headway before 2 out where not fluent, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Belle Of Annandale (10-8) at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Aug.
I Am Spider Man (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) Always towards rear, mistake 3rd and detached, slight mistake and rider lost irons 5 out, no extra after next, 9th of 11, dist behind Padraic's Choice (10-9) at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp gd in Aug.
Ayr Of Elegance 50-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, closed after not fluent 2nd, lost place after 5th, well beaten from 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Tally's Son (10-3) at Stratford 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Darkest Day (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Prominent, 2 lengths behind 3 out, soon ridden, headway to press leader 2 out, no extra and weakened approaching last, last of 9, 20l behind Born Famous (12-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Jimmy Rabbitte (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, travelling okay 3 out, headway to press for lead before 2 out where 1 length down, soon ridden, chased leader approaching last, kept on run-in, briefly threatened but held near finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind The Longest Day (10-8) at Perth 3m hcp (5) gd in Aug.