bit keen, tracked leaders, went 2nd 10f out, led narrowly 7f out, came clear final 2f, eased towards finish
led until 7f out, chased winner, pushed along and well held 2f out, lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong, lost 3rd close home
held up well off the pace in 6th, never on terms
tracked leader 6f, 3rd until halfway, 3rd again 3f out, plugged on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up in 4th place, went 3rd halfway until pushed along 3f out, weakened soon after, tailed off
slowly away and reluctant to race, detached throughout, tailed off
held up off the pace in 5th place, plugged on final 2f, went 3rd towards finish
NonRunner
NonRunner
MR SMITH travels over from Ireland in fine form having won twice over hurdles since making a successful raid on Carlisle in June. He’s 6lb higher today but should make another bold in his current mood and is just preferred to Cristal Spirit. The latter went close over 2m at Kempton last month and will handle the soft ground but Nafaayes would prefer a faster surface having scored over today’s trip at Chester during the summer. Colwood and Pumblechook finished almost upsides when the former was third at Southwell last time though the latter may reverse running back on the Turf today.
Cristal Spirit 11-2 (9-1) Tracked leader until ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, went 2nd last strides, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Land Of Oz (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Pumblechook 25-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, no impression on winner, 4th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Mister Chiang (9-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
With Pleasure 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Rosserk Abbey (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Colwood 7-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway on inside 4f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 8 1/4l behind Mister Chiang (9-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Mr Smith 4-9fav (11-3) Slight mistake 1st, tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 9th, disputed after 10th, slight mistake 4 out, soon led, slight mistake 3 out, asserted before next, soon clear, easily, won at Roscommon 3m hcp sft in Aug beating Messie (11-3) by 12l, 8 ran.
Duration (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Nataleena (8-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Montys Angel (IRE) 150-1 (8-9) Mid-division, plugged on final 2f, 4th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Cochise (9-1) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Nafaayes (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Behind, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Overhaugh Street (9-2) at Chester 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Tin Fandango 50-1 (9-7) Pulled hard, headway on outside chasing leaders 12f out, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, weakened soon after, 12th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Road To Paris (8-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Oct.