disputed lead, lost position before 2 out, kept on but lacked pace of front pair on run-in
held up, detached in rear from over 3 out
midfield, shaken up before 3 out, left in third 2 out, ridden on run-in, battled on well to narrowly lead close home
midfield, ridden before 3 out, weakening when hampered 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out
midfield, smooth headway to track leaders before 3 out, going well when fell 2 out
held up last, stumbled at 5th, headway to track leaders when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced and disputing fourth when hampered by faller 2 out
held up, hampered 2 out, stayed on from before last but unable to challenge
disputed lead, led 3 out, ridden before last, rallied on run-in but just denied
Red Risk won a novices’ handicap at Ludlow in the spring but has been raised 9lb for that. Second in the Summer Plate here in July, Fidux has probably run up that form in two starts since so shouldn’t be far away again. Ravenhill Road was fourth in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January off this mark while Court Master returned with a win at Warwick and has now been successful in three of his last four. There was plenty to like about LUCKOFTHEDRAW’s comeback fifth here and he’s back on the same mark as when scoring over course and distance just over a year ago so a big run is anticipated.
Red Risk (FR) 10-3 (11-8) Prominent, led briefly 9th, led again 4 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Golden Whisky (11-1) by 11l, 5 ran.
Louis' Vac Pouch (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders when hampered next, one pace and no impression when blundered last, 7th of 23, 10 1/2l behind Simply The Betts (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Fidux (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway when not fluent 11th, 4th and beaten before last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Princeton Royale (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, awkward 6th, headway 10th, beaten from 2 out, 5th of 9, 10l behind Imperial Presence (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Beggar's Wishes (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Behind most of way, 7th of 13, 36 1/4l behind Born Survivor (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Ravenhill Road (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Slight lead until 2nd, tracked leader, led travelling well before 11th until 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 14, 17l behind Ok Corral (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Jan.
Rose Sea Has (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, steady headway 8th, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Billingsley (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Luckofthedraw (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace, 5th of 15, 5l behind Dead Right (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Ashoka (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, kept on and no impression, 5th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Western Miller (10-11) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Court Master (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Made all, driven flat, held on well, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Minella For Me (11-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
