tracked leader, led 3 out, briefly headed approaching next, ridden and mistake last, ran on
tracked leaders, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon ridden, switched left approaching last, held when slipped soon after last
jumped very slowly 1st, well behind when refused 2nd
raced keenly in touch, went badly right 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, went 4th after 5th, weakened after 6th
led until 3 out, soon weakened
This looks to be a straight match between Cantgeton and Gemini Dancer, with the former preferred. Martin Pipe's charge has apparently had knee problems but shaped as if on the way back when third at Worcester last time out. He had looked a promising sort when scoring on his hurdles debut last season and may now be ready to strike again. Gemini Dancer is a consistent sort who won a novices' handicap here in June and has put up two fair efforts in defeat since. If there are any chinks in the armour of Cantgeton, then he should be the one to take advantage, as the rest make little appeal. Sweet Az was very moderate on the level and hasn't run for a year, while Paul Blockley's Silver Emperor showed nothing on the flat and would be hard to fancy, so with Timmy Murphy on board, David Johnson's Cantgeton is a confident selection.
Cantgeton (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 17, 27l behind West End Wonder (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Jul.
Gemini Dancer 5-2 (11-9) Held up, headway to chase leaders after 4th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Zarakash (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jul.
Grey Court Gran Alba gelding out of Tudor Sunset.
Norman's Glories 7-1 (11-7) 2nd of 6, 1l behind Ile De Re (11-9) at Easton Harriers 2m 4f ptp frm in Mar '03.
Past Heritage 200-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, mistake 5th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Manorson (11-10) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Prince On The Ter 7-2 (12-5) 2nd of 4, 6l behind Mister Rf (12-5) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gf in May '03.
Silver Emperor (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Slowly away, always behind, 7th of 12, 20l behind Sabbaag (8-6) at Southwell 1m mdn stk (D) fbs in Jan '04 (Flat).
Sweet Az 25-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened, 4th of 6, 17l behind Harbour Bound (11-3) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gf.
