held up towards rear and keen, tracked leaders on inner before 6th, challenged on bit 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear and keen, outpaced 8th, headway before and challenged 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway before 8th, hampered on bend after 4 out, headway before 2 out, led last, kept on well
held up in rear, struggling before 7th
always behind, weakened from 8th
tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, one pace from last
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd run-in
led, pressed 3 out, ridden and headed last, lost 2nd place run-in, no extra
ENDEAVOR's recent fourth at Kelso looks the best recent form on offer and Diane Sayer's seven-year-old, who has improved with age, gets the vote in this finale. The longer trip shouldn't be a problem as long as the ground doesn't deteriorate. Benmadigan has been in better form of late and should be thereabouts again while Stormy Morning looks a threat coming off a decent season on the Flat. Laybach was beaten a long way when second at Carlisle last time, however, and is still a maiden under both codes while Solway Dornal is high enough in the weights now.
Mountskip 16-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden approaching last, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 11l behind Altan Khan (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov '10.
Stormy Morning 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Dawn Ride (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Endeavor 7-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, went 3rd last until no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 16l behind Hunters Belt (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Oct.
Benmadigan (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway when short of room after 5th, ridden 2 out, one pace and beaten when hampered last, 5th of 14, 15l behind Midnight Myth (10-13) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Commercial Express (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always behind, never on terms, tailed off 16th and pulled up soon after, in a race won by Itzacliche (11-13) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
Qollioure (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led before 6th, headed 8th, soon left in lead, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 47l behind Tears From Heaven (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hld 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Corky Dancer 66-1 (10-12) Held up behind, struggling after 4 out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, well behind Ifandbutwhynot (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Solway Dornal 9-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway from 5th, reminder before 11th, stumbled next, weakened 4 out, 6th of 7, 19l behind Fog Patches (11-10) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Aug.
Laybach (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Led until after 2nd, hard driven 5 out, soon weakened, no chance with winner, moderate 2nd, 2nd of 6, 49l behind Mwaleshi (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Oct.
