jumped right, led until 3rd, chased leader, pecked 5th, led before 3 out, soon headed but quickly left in lead at 3 out, veered right 2 out, soon hung left and swishing tail, looked far from cooperative but driven clear flat
hampered 1st, chased leaders, challenged after 4 out, took narrow lead when fell 3 out
hampered 1st, towards rear, slow 5th, behind 8th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 3rd, slow 5th, headed then hampered 3 out, plugged on, no impression on winner flat
hampered and fell 1st
badly hampered 1st, in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden and struggling 9th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up, closed 6th, 4th before 8th, not fluent 9th, left 3rd when bad mistake 3 out, soon 4th and weakening
slightly hampered 1st, chased leaders, lost place before 8th, went 3rd after 3 out, closed from 2 out, well held flat
Staple Head won a point-to-point last month and runs in his first handicap but his jumping under Rules so far has left much to be desired. Imperial Acolyte’s last two runs over fences have seen him finish second off this mark at Worcester. He is the obvious choice but may find one too good again in the shape of REGABY, who is a pound out of the handicap and making his chasing bow but has the most scope of these. Shady Oaks does most of his racing at Southwell and was pulled up there last time.
Staple Head (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) (h, cp) led til ur 3 out, at Garthorpe 3m gs in May.
Imperial Acolyte 15-2 (11-11) Held up in touch, driven after 3 out, close up last, 4th and held final 75 yards, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Beau Haze (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Sense Of Adventure (IRE) 80-1 (11-12) Led early, prominent, 4th and pushed along after 3 out, weakening when blundered badly 2 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Raddle And Hum (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Shady Oaks (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Jumped left 1st, held up in rear, ridden along after 8th, soon struggling and pulled up before 4 out, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in May.
Regaby (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leader from 4 out, well clear of remainder when ridden in 2nd before 2 out, soon beaten but kept on well, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Merry Berry (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) gf in May.
West Class (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Double Court (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Alburn 66-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway before 11th, every chance when not fluent 3 out, lost place next, 7th of 13, 25 1/4l behind Write It Down (10-9) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Onenightintown (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, benefitted from rivals mishaps before going 3rd approaching last, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 11 1/2l behind French Kiss (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
