held up, chased leaders after 3 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish
held up, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon challenging, every chance last, kept on and held towards finish
chased leaders, took closer order 2nd, led 3 out, soon headed and weakened
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakend after 2 out
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
in rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, lost place from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, led after 3 out, ridden and under pressure 2 out, kept on and held on well towards finish
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
held up, soon chasing leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is a highly competitive handicap in which we will give the tentative vote to STORM OF APPLAUSE, while both top weight Stumped, Tayarat and Gracechuch are all worthy of mention. The selection comes from the Phillip Hobbs stable who have had a very disappointing six months over the summer period. That said they have had very few runners during that time, but it looks as though the tide has turned as they are starting to produce a steady flow of winners now. Storm of Applause fell when in contention when last seen in April but prior to that had won a chase off a mark of 110. He is officially five pounds better off over these smaller obstacles and with luck on his side he will not be too far away if at his best. Stumped was bought out of the Andy Haynes stable after winning a seller at Market Rasen last time out. He has been making hay while the sun has been shining over the summer period rarely finishing out of the first three in low grade races. He is now however badly handicapped and he will struggle in this higher grade and should be treated with caution on his first run for his new stable. Gracechurch steps up in grade having won a claimer over course and distance last time out and more will be required this time around, while Tayarat won a handicap off a four pound lower mark at Exeter back in April and was not discredited in a tough handicap at Ffos Las last time out. He comes form a stable in form so should be closely monitored in the market. This is a difficult race to call but Storm of Applause gets the narrow vote.
Stumped 6-5fav (11-2) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out and second last ran on strongly towards finish to lead close home, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell (4) gd in Aug beating Liberty Seeker (11-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Gracechurch (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Keen hold early, held up, headway 3 out, travelling well to lead 2 out, found extra and kept on well from last, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gs in Aug beating Stumped (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tayarat (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, jumped left 5th, ridden and effort 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 5l behind Turf War (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, jumped left 7th and 8th stumbled and fell after 11th, in a race won by Tyup Pompey (10-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Blue Express (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Prominent early, dropped towards rear 3rd, not a factor after, 12th of 15, well behind Conem (11-2) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Sep '08.
Attrapeur (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Always prominent, went 2nd after 4th, led 2 out, edged right and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Hi Tide (10-12) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Tenormore (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leader in 2nd, closed approaching 3 out where on terms and slight mistake, soon headed and dropped to 3rd, no extra from before 2 out, 3rd of 15, 28l behind Dashing Ruby (10-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp hdl 8Evens09 sft in Aug.
Danish Monarch 5-1 (11-6) Soon held up in touch, not much room on first bend, soon behind, blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Happy Reunion (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
Occasionally Yours (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Made most, headed 2 out, chased winner after, ridden between last 2, held flat, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Mission Control (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Rathrockscourt (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway 5th, went 2nd, hit 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead last stride, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf in Aug beating Brousse En Feux (11-5) by nk, 12 ran.
Top Trees 13-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway when slipped up on bend approaching 6th, in a race won by Rathrockscourt (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf in Aug, 12 ran.
Anfield Road 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, in touch, not fluent 5th, weakened under pressure before 2 out, 5th of 10, 30l behind Zafar (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Miss Skippy 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led 6th, joined 2 out, narrowly headed on long run soon after, rallied gamely to regain lead, last stride, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gd in Aug beating Stumped (11-5) by hd, 14 ran.
Bolton Hall (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led until 2nd, tracked leaders, every chance 4 out, led approaching 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 4f Ladies sell hdl (5) gf in Aug beating Mistified (10-5) by 7l, 11 ran.
Living The Dream 33-1 (10-4) Took keen hold well in rear, no chance approaching 5th, 9th of 13, well behind Maria Antonia (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Major Roi (GER) 66-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 6th approaching 5 out, no extra under pressure from 4 out, completely tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Life For Rent (11-12) at Listowel 3m mdn hdl gd in Sep '07.
