held up, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to lead towards finish
held up mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened last
tracked leader weakened approaching last
led, headed 2 out, weakened after last
held up mid-division, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led last, headed towards finsih
behind and early reminders, headway approaching 2 out, one pace
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened next
held up in touch, ridden flat, one pace
This looks one of the most open races on the card, and from a shortlist of STILL AT LUNCH, Barashi and Cast Iron Casey we'll side with the first named. Over the years this contest has thrown up some big priced winners, with only two favourites obliging in the last eight renewals. Still At Lunch won here back in May, in what was his last run, but he's shown in the past he's capable of winning straight off a lay-off, so that wouldn't be a concern at all. He's creeping up the weights though, and hasn't won off his current mark of 104, although he's still got plenty in hand on top weight Cast Iron Casey. He's been off the track too since the spring, and usually needs a race or two to get fully tuned up. He's raced at a better level than this, but again hasn't won off this high a mark. Barashi's sole success came in a seller and may find this a little too much, but Howard Johnson's string always command respect, and he showed up well on his handicap debut last time out in May. A tricky, trappy contest, but we'll go with Still At Lunch.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 10-3 (10-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leader 12th, outpaced when blundered 3 out, soon lost place, no impression from next, 4th of 9, 11l behind Tell Henry (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Scale Bank (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, blundered 5th, headway 9th, every chance 3 out, driven and weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Tribe (10-13) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
La Fortalesa (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 48l behind Elk Trail (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Barashi 9-2 (11-6) Close up, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 9l behind Newgate (10-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Still At Lunch (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Made all, hit 6th, joined after 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven clear flat, eased close home, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May beating Storm Prospect (11-1) by 5l, 9 ran.
Annibale Caro 4-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 9l behind Mcmurdo Sound (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sep.
Overbranch 9-1 (10-4) Led to 2nd, remained close up, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 9, 27l behind Pepporoni Pete (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sep.
Hawksbury Heights 17-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 15, 14l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-5) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gf.
Solis (GER) 11-1 (10-7) In rear, headway 5th, pushed along and one pace, 5th of 15, 14l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-5) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gf.
Vallani (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, struggling approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 26l behind Sea Cove (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Always Best 18-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 14, 28l behind Sea Cove (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
