in touch, effort 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, headway to lead halfway, headed and outpaced when hampered after 4 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
held up, always towards rear
tracked leaders, blundered 9th, challenged and every chance 3 out, ridden and one pace approaching next
always prominent, led after 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, no impression flat
behind, tailed off when blundered 10th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
mid-division, driven and headway 4 out, ridden and kept on from next, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led before next, clear last, stayed on well
held up, always behind
led to halfway, tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced
held up, headway 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
always behind, tailed off
mid-division, hit 4th, lost place 8th, weakened and pulled up before next
Nonrunner
WATER TAXI gets the tentative vote to land this wide open handicap chase where quite an amount of dangers can be cited including Roby De Cimbre, William Butler and Tom Taaffe's Breaking Silence. It is unusual for Ferdy Murphy to have his horses on top of their game at this time of year but Water Taxi is an exception to that rule, winning very easily last time out over 2m 4f at this venue. 9lb higher for that victory, this is a tougher assignment but the obvious engagement for what looks an improving sort. Connections of Roby De Cimbre have selectively chosen what looked 'soft touches' for their charge during the summer months and in the process he has picked up valuable experience and posted three victories in the process. He tackled today's trip for the first time on his latest start and found the proven stayer Snoopy Loopy too strong there. He remains open to further improvement though while the prolific recent winner William Butler might just be now in the grip of the handicapper but has held his form well despite his busy recent schedule. Breaking Silence was last seen contesting the Galway Plate where he never threatened to win the race at any point but that was his first run for almost nine months and he should be better for that outing 59 days ago. Nudge And Nurdle is returning from a break but his trainer has already proved this week that he has a large amount of his horses forward at this early stage of the season. Brooklyn Brownie is a regular in these competitive handicap chases but now races off a career high mark. Santa's Son makes his UK debut for Howard Johnson and Graham Wylie. He is very game but always vulnerable as he races quite freely on the front end in his races. Water Taxi is given the vote to land the feature event of the day.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 17l behind Stan (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Iron Man (FR) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, mistake 6th, challenged leader 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 13, well behind Snoopy Loopy (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Aug.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Raced keenly, held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway 4 out, led and hit 2 out, soon ridden, edged right flat, held on close home, won at Perth 3m nov chs (2) gd in Apr beating Fleet Street (11-3) by a hd, 7 ran.
Santa's Son (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Prominent, in front when jumped left 6th and 7th, soon headed, bad mistake 8th, 5th after 3 out, lost place and weakened next, 11th of 22, 36l behind Oslot (10-13) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gs in Jul.
Breaking Silence (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Soon mid-division, 10th before 4 out, 9th after next, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 8th of 22, 27l behind Oslot (10-13) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gs in Jul.
Pearl King (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden 10th, no impression, 6th of 13, 25l behind Snoopy Loopy (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Aug.
Love That Benny (USA) 18-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 12th, went 2nd after 4 out, led 2 out, ridden, stayed on well flat, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul beating Franc Villez (11-10) by 9l, 8 ran.
William Butler (IRE) 11-10fav (10-7) Always prominent, led 8th, cleared throughout, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs beating Leamington Lad (11-5) by 11l, 13 ran.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) In rear, steady headway 9th, led 2 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Snoopy Loopy (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul.
Always Waining (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden and headway 12th, kept on one pace from 4 out, 4th of 13, 10l behind Snoopy Loopy (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Aug.
Water Taxi 11-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 10th, went 2nd before 3 out, led next, ridden last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug beating Kilcrea Asla (11-0) by 8l, 8 ran.
Yes Sir (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Chased leader, lost place approaching 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Snoopy Loopy (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul, 16 ran.
Roby De Cimbre (FR) 2-1fav (10-2) Mid-division, headway after 10th, ridden 4 out, led last, no extra and headed flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Snoopy Loopy (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Aug.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up, struggling 16th, soon behind, 10th of 15, well behind Surface To Air (10-5) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Team Allstar (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Towards rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 4 out, 12th of 22, 36l behind Oslot (10-13) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gs in Jul.
Le Toscan (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders 3rd, lost place 7 out, no extra from before 4 out, weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Scotsirish (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov hcp chs gd in Apr, 24 ran.
