chased winner, hampered, unseated rider 1st
led, left alone after 1st
tracked leaders in 3rd, jumped right, collided, fell 1st
in rear when brought down 1st
In a small field SEYMOUR WELD should prove a little too classy for his rivals Rustarix and Backbord. Three wins from six starts is the picks record at this track and he destroyed the field in a similar race, albeit over five furlongs shorter, by 25 lengths here on his last outing. In the context of this race his performance in a listed handicap two starts back is solid enough and with his habit of winning by large distances the step up it trip is unlikely to be a problem. Rustarix has done very little wrong this season but does have eight pounds to find on the pick. A winner by 11 lengths in a similar race last time means he should also have no problems with this trip and this ground looks ideal. Backbord will also have eight pounds to find on the pick and while his form has been pretty decent it doesn't appear as strong as the two we've just mentioned. The other two in the field Caramia and Stagecoach Opal both look a little out of their depth and we put our confidence in Seymour Weld.
Rustarix (FR) Evens2fav (11-8) Made most until not fluent 4 out, headed after next, soon pushed along, regained lead 2 out, drew clear from last, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Kinkeel (10-13) by 11l, 2 ran.
Seymour Weld 2-5fav (11-9) Made all and clear with rival, went on 3 out, 13 lengths clear when not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f noc chs (4) gd in Aug beating Young Tot (10-11) by 25l, 4 ran.
Stagecoach Opal 11-2 (11-2) Mid-division, close up when fell 15th, in a race won by Or de Grugy (11-6) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Caramia (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Soon in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 5, 22l behind That's Rhythm (11-0) at Bangor 3m beg chase (4) gd in Mar.
Backbord (GER) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 11th, progress to chase leaders next, ridden 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Lingfield 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar.