held up behind leaders, effort after 3 out, one pace from next
held up but in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
led until 5th, chased leader, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
raced keenly tracking leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, kept on same pace
held up but in touch, took closer order 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
tracked leader, led 5th, went right 3 out, in command when hit 2 out and last, kept on well
In the opener, Moon Over Miami is selected ahead of Forest Green and Self Respect. Moon Over Miami has created a favourable impression in winning his last two races and, as he seems to set the standard today, he looks the one to beat today. An expensive failure when last seen in May, Forest Green is clearly known to have ability and he has at least to be considered today. John Charles did the job well on his hurdling debut although this looks to be a tougher event and he has to concede the two-length runner-up that day, Self Respect six pounds now. As a 76-rated middle-distance winner on the Flat, Gringo rates as an interesting hurdling newcomer, while the betting will tell us more about the others but, for today, we will side with Moon Over Miami.
Forest Green (FR) 4-9fav (10-10) Towards rear, steady headway 4th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 16l behind French Saulaie (10-12) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Oumeyade (FR) (10-8) won at Enghien 2m 1f hdl in Apr beating Odin (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
John Charles (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Winner with leader, led 4th, ridden when hit last, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs beating Self Respect (10-10) by 2l, 13 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 4-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 6th, pushed along approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Star Shot (11-7) by 4l, 16 ran.
Gringo 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 19, 1 1/2l behind London Express (8-12) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug (Flat).
Honduras (SWI) 5-2fav (10-12) Pulled hard, held up rear, hampered 2nd, headway 4th, tracked leading pair after 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind The Bonus King (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Self Respect (USA) 4-6fav (10-10) In touch, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, stayed on, never troubled winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind John Charles (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
