held up, headway when hit 5 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened next
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
led or disputed lead until lost place after 5 out, soon outpaced, rallied to chase winner 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 2nd after last
held up mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, mistake 10th, smooth headway to join leader 5 out, led, going well next, driven clear from 2 out, comfortably
held up, outpaced 5 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway when mistake 5 out, outpaced next, no impression
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led or disputed lead until driven and headed 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, 6th and beaten when mistake last
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner
From a shortlist of Native Coral, Super Baby, River Shanakill, My Arch and CASH MAN, it is the last-named who is fancied to come out on top. Evelyn Slack does well with the few runners that she sends to the Edinburgh track and this son of Flemensfirth looks capable of a bold show. He only has one win over fences to his name but the step back up in trip will suit and the ground should also be ideal. Regent's Secret has been kept busy this year but to little effect of late, River Shanakill shaped very nicely at Hexham but she looks a stout stayer and the track/drop in trip may not suit, whilst Categorical is slowly edging down the weights despite a sequence of consistent runs. My Arch will be fit from a recent flat run at York and he cannot be too readily dismissed on this chasing debut, Super Baby can improve on a hurdles run at Carlisle and the yard are in good nick, whilst Native Coral is a course winner and his overall level of form (bar being pulled up at Market Rasen in July) looks to have a very solid feel to it. Cash Man is given the vote in another competitive heat.
Native Coral (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 1st, jumped slowly and lost place next, last 8th, pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Nostringsattached (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 16-1 (11-1) In touch when blundered, unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 14 ran.
Super Baby (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Led until after 2nd, remained prominent, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Dinarius (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
My Arch 11-4fav (11-5) Mistake 1st, held up, driven and outpaced when fell 4 out, in a race won by Clemax (11-5) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in May '08, 9 ran.
Regent's Secret (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, outpaced when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 35l behind Bob's Dream (10-13) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Cash Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 34l behind Dinarius (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
River Shanakill (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) In touch, joined leaders 15th, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 15l behind The Hollinwell (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (3) gs.
Categorical 6-1 (11-0) Held up, raced keenly, headway after 5th, hit 11th and struggling, hit 13th, rallied next, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Catch The Perk (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Nile Moon (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up, headway and in touch 6th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 43l behind Justwhateverulike (10-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Heavenly Chorus 8-1 (11-12) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 43l behind Bob's Dream (11-5) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
