mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led after next, headed run in, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway 7th, led on bit run in, pushed clear towards finish
led to 2nd, remained in touch until outpaced halfway
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened before next
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, one pace next
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
led 2nd, headed after 3 out, weakened after next
pulled hard in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on one pace
held up in touch, pushed along 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, pushed along and lost place 7th, tailed off and pulled up before
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
A big field but possibly not such a competitive contest to complete the card, and shortlist material includes Tandava, High Country, King Of Confusion and River Mist, and we take High Country to prevail. The selection stays this trip on quicker ground, as evidenced by his win at Sedgefield in August, and his run behind Crathorne at Hexham next time was far from a bad one to finish two lengths adrift of that in-form opponent. With doubts over the others, he can score. River Mist is a consistent sort, who revels on decent ground and sees this trip out, though he looks a bit high in the weights with his penalty for winning, and he may just be found out again. Of the remainder, Tandava and King Of Confusion look to be the best. Tandava goes well here, winning over 2m 2f on soft ground in April, but he has been effective on fast ground on the level in the past, so we can expect him to give his running here, though with penalties for winning, he looks likely to struggle again and is overlooked here. Meanwhile, King Of Confusion is open to a fair bit of improvement, and rain would increase his chances, but on what we've seen thus far he has a bit to find with our selection, High Country.
Tandava (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 4th of 5, 12l behind Brooklyn Brownie (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul.
King of Confusion (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, chased winner before last, one pace and no impression run-in, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Victom's Chance (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Feb.
One Of Them 12-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, ridden and ran slightly wide on bend approaching 2 out, hung left and went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Classical Ben (11-4) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Named At Dinner 8-1 (10-6) Left in lead 1st, headed approaching 4th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 12, well behind Travel (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Cool Dessa Blues 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 9th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Minster Shadow (11-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Thuringe (FR) (10-3) Lost touch halfway, 11th of 17, more than 14l behind Benefique (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 1f fll hdl sft in Jun '04.
High Country (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Prominent, ridden approaching 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Crathorne (11-5) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
River Mist (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, mistake and reminders 6th, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Lutin Du Moulin (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in May.
