held up behind, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace after 2 out, stayed on to chase front pair flat, no impression when lost 3rd near finish
tracked leader, ridden after 2 out, one pace last, no extra flat
behind, blundered 5th, headway on outside when hit 3 out, one pace when not fluent next, weakened last
mid-diviison, not much room after 3 out, outpaced on outside next, soon ridden, hung left towards stands side rail and ran on well flat, took 3rd near finish, just held
towards rear, not much room after 3 out, headway to chase leaders when blundered next, weakened last
mid-division, tracked leaders 2 out, soon ridden, one pace last, no impression flat
in touch on outside, lost place 3 out, tailed off next
tracked leaders, led narrowly 2 out, ridden flat, kept on, headed and no extra near finish
Nonrunner
This is a very tricky opener as several appear to have decent claims. Holly Bush Henry made a very promising start over hurdles at Southwell but has another half-mile to cover here. Swivel didn't look very keen at Stratford before unseating his rider but Knightly Escapade has won on the Flat this year and has also won a bumper. Dr Irv has also been running well on the level and It Is I was second at Worcester last month but KEEP CALM gets a tentative vote as the step up in distance at Uttoxeter last time suited John Mackie's charge, who was a stayer on the Flat. To Begin may struggle again under his penalty.
To Begin 16-1 (11-2) Last trio, struggling when mistake 7th, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Gioia Di Vita (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul.
Dr Irv 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Amour de Nuit (8-9) at Ripon 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Keep Calm 17-2 (11-0) Prominent, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Oculist (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Knightly Escapade 8-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 10th of 15, 9 3/4l behind Eshtiaal (8-10) at York 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Mr Selby 50-1 (10-12) Led, soon clear, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Scrafton (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Aug.
Presenting Streak (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up and well behind, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th last, never any chance, 4th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Hepijeu (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Jul.
St Quintin 20-1 (11-4) Pressed leader to over 5f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 22 1/2l behind Last Summer (11-0) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in May.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway after 4th, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Angus Glens (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
L'Es Fremantle (FR) 50-1 (9-2) Led and soon clear until over 6f out, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 32 1/4l behind Easydoesit (9-9) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Swivel 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 5th, at Stratford 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Jul.
It Is I (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 5th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, went 3rd when mistake last, no impression on winner, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Father Edward (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gf in Jul.
