chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in touch, headway to lead after 3 out, clear next, ridden flat, headed and no extra near finish
tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed after 3 out, ridden and one pace from last
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
held up in touch, headway to challenge 4 out, outpaced after next, weakened 2 out
held up, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide and held up, blundered 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, outpaced 3 out, 6th and plenty to do approaching 2 out, rallied approaching last, ridden and hung left last, stayed on to lead near finish
led, headed after 5th, ridden and lost place next, tailed off 3 out
held up, hit 3rd, always behind
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The finale looks pretty close to call, and only a narrow vote goes to Nelson's Spice ahead of Tonic du Charmil, Michaels Dream and Colourful Life to name but a few. There are plenty in with a shout here, but Nelson's Spice lines up in good order after back-to-back wins at Huntingdon and Worcester, and despite a rise in the weights, can come late on the scene again to complete a hat-trick. Tonic du Charmil looks plenty high enough in the weights at present, but only went down narrowly at Bangor last time, and will benefit from the longer trip, while another danger may emerge in the shape of course-and-distance scorer Michaels Dream, although he would prefer it a bit softer, and of course he too has his fair share of weight. Colourful Life is a bit long in the tooth now, but ran a blinder until headed two out at Bangor, and this drop in trip gives him a chance of being involved as well. Waldo's Dream could be one to consider for a place on past efforts, but Nelson's Spice is fit and fancied, so is the one to side with.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Prestbury Knight (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jul.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led 11th, mistake and headed last, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Tamango (11-8) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul.
Toni Alcala 2-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 11, 39l behind Insignia (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jul.
Little Big Horse (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Led to 1st, in touch, blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Iron Man (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul, 14 ran.
Fontanesi (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 12, 6l behind Be Quiet (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm.
Waldo's Dream 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 3rd and 7th, led 8th to 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Mylo (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Colourful Life (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led, soon clear until 7th, headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Willywont He (11-7) at Bangor 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Shady Baron (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Noir Et Vert (10-11) at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr '06, 10 ran.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 5-1 (10-7) Led, clear from 3rd, ridden after 9th, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 24l behind Naomh Aaron (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
Little Task 20-1 (10-11) Towards rear, blundered badly 6th, not recover, 5th of 12, 6l behind Be Quiet (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm.
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Held up in last, blundered 6th, headway when forced slightly wide approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun beating Fordingbridge (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ballyhale (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders after 7th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 49l behind Gone To Lunch (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Barfleur (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) In touch, outpaced when not much room after 3 out, soon lost place, last of 12, 37l behind Double Deputy (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
