mid-division, effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
led, headed 7th, led again after 3 out, ridden next, headed flat, rallied to regain lead towards finish
mid-division, headway and in touch halfway, driven 3 out, kept on same pace, weakened flat
mid-division, reminders halfway, soon behind
towards rear, struggling halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
prominent, led 7th, headed after 3 out, weakend from next
towards rear, steady headway 3 out, effort 2 out, stayed on to lead narrowly flat, headed and no extra towards finish
mid-division, lost place halfway, soon pushed along, behind until kept on from 2 out, never nearer
soon behind, never dangerous
behind until kept on from 2 out, never nearer
with winner, lost place 7th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 6th, soon behind
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
NOSFERATU is predicted to take this heat with challenges likely to come from Tot Of The Knar and Hold Em. Howard Johnson has made no more than a fair start to the season which is a minor cause for concern but the selection has plenty to recommend him. Nosferatu was a decent performer on the level but has taken a while to adapt to the rigours of hurdling and his sole success came at odds of 2-9 in an uncompetitive race. It's the form of his latest run in the competitive Long Distance Hurdle at Haydock that marks him out as a bet here as he ran a fine race to finish sixth behind the likes of Liberate and Buena Vista despite getting very warm beforehand. Thunder Rock only needed to be ridden out to get the better of Bantry Bere at Bangor but he isn't one to rely on and has a rise in the weights to cope with. The Nigel Twiston-Davies first string would appear to be Osprey View but some modest performances over fences of late may have left their mark. Tot Of The Knar has been well placed by connections this summer and is better than she showed last time but she won't want the ground to be riding too fast here. Hold Em enjoyed a fine novice season and may well be competitive here despite the burden of top-weight; he's too good to be left off the short-list. Theatre Belle was a revelation last season and may be able to continue from where she left off but the handicapper must be close to getting the better of her and she's opposable in this company. A good turn out for this prize as one would expect, Nosferatu may be able to land the spoils.
Hold Em (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 9th of 15, 42l behind Fiveforthree (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Ursis (FR) 11-2 (11-11) Led, hard pressed from 4 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, kept on gamely flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Little Lu (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
Theatre Belle 9-1 (11-5) In touch, led 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Maraafeq (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, reminders 7th, mistake next, hit 3 out, every chance next, one pace from last, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Thunder Rock (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Osprey View (IRE) 10-3fav (10-12) Led to 4th, led 7th to 8th, hit 11th, blundered badly 12th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Ballybough Jack (11-4) at Southwell 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Aug, 7 ran.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, headway to lead 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs beating Bantry Bere (11-10) by 2l, 7 ran.
Portavadie 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased winner from 6th, not fluent 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Ursis (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jul.
Tot Of The Knar 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 7th, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 16, 17l behind Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug.
Or Sing About (FR) 50-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden 7th, soon every chance, held in 3rd when hit last, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug.
Englishtown (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, jumped left 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Bantry Bere (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Tension Point 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Nanga Parbat (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Thats Confidential (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Soon led, headed 5th, led again after 6th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 19l behind Ogee (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Nosferatu (IRE) 5-1fav (10-3) Chased leader, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 15, 11l behind Liberate (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Insignia (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 13, 23l behind Snoopy Loopy (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Aug.
Colophony (USA) 11-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, 45l behind Elaala (10-1) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Ladino (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 8th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 10l behind Barneys Mate (9-12) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 50-1 (9-7) Held up, stumbled and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Schindlers Son (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in May, 15 ran.
