led to after 2nd, tracked leader, led again 6th, clear 2 out, pushed out flat, comfortably
in touch, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, ridden 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression
in rear, lost touch 5th, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway under pressure after 4 out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd after last, no impression
raced keenly, held up behind, weakened and pulled up before 7th
behind, outpaced when mistake 4 out, soon pulled up
in touch, mistake 5th, outpaced 3 out, 9th and beaten when fell last
mid-division, ridden 4 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway 6th, jumped right from 8th, chased winner 4 out, no extra and lost 2nd after last
in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
behind when fell 8th
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led after 2nd to 6th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
Abutilon can follow up at the expense of Lik Wood Power, Physical Force and Dalriath to name but a few. Abutilon has improved steadily since being sent over fences, and for the fitting of a tongue-tie, scoring at Fontwell when fancied three weeks ago. Back up now to more or less the mark he ran off over hurdles, Brendan Powell's charge is taken to follow up, in the belief that he can continue his upward curve. Lik Wood Power had to be coaxed home to finish second in a lesser race than this at Hereford, but he is remarkably well treated compared to last year, and cannot be ruled out. Physical Force lived up to his name at Sedgefield last time, taking it up at the fourth and holding on well from his rivals. He too can be added to the short-list along with Dalriath whose stable always does well at this track. Abutilon is only a four-year-old though, and has a lot more to offer, so should be followed.
Rowdy Yeats (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) In touch, led 5th to 7th, weakened 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Terlan (11-2) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Dalriath 12-1 (10-1) Tracked winner, every chance 4 out, under pressure approaching 2nd last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Waterspray (11-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Olay Olay (IRE) 9-2fav (9-11) Mistake 2nd, in rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 8th of 12, 30l behind Mexican (9-3) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gs in Jul.
Physical Force 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 4th, made rest, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Reasonably Sure (11-6) by 4l, 15 ran.
Mystic Glen 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway 7th, ridden next and kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Charlie George (9-7) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Aug.
Abutilon 4-1jt-fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway from 9th, ridden and chased leaders 4 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs (5) gf beating Kind Sir (10-6) by 3l, 13 ran.
Kind Sir 25-1 (10-6) Led 1st, clear 3rd, ridden 4 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Abutilon (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs (5) gf.
Lik Wood Power (NZ) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 2nd to 2 out, edged right approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Roussea (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs (5) gf.
