led, headed 4 out, weakened 3 out
behind from 5th
behind from 6th
always in the rear
towards rear, ridden 4 out, stayed on, never dangerous
mid-division, weakening when hampered 3 out
in touch, close up when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
towards rear, ridden and headway 6th, hampered and lost place 3 out, fell next
towards rear, lost touch 6th
mid-division, weakened 6th, pulled up before next
towards rear, plugged on
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, pressed when jumped right last, kept on gamely
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th
mid-division, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 7th, chased leader 2 out, every chance when jumped left and bumped last, outbattled flat
tracked leader unti weakened 6th, pulled up before last
This valuable handicap has attracted a good, competitive field, with our selection being Sonnyanjoe ahead of Super Fly and I'm Spartacus. This is tricky so here are some thoughts. Ruby Dante has won three of her last four races, is tough but has been raised eleven pounds for the latest of those successes. Sonnyanjoe is an Irish raider that ran well at the Galway Festival last time. Super Fly looked good when front-running tactics were adopted in winning a maiden hurdle here last time, on which form he holds Joe Lively, although the latter has gone on to win twice since. A good run is not ruled out from Cream Cracker from his current mark, while Take A Mile can also be considered from his current rating. The Mark Tompkins-trained Rajayoga has been raised seven pounds for his recent hurdling win, although he does come here as a recent winner of the Flat, and I'm Spartacus had looked promising prior to disappointing when sent off as favourite last time, although today's longer trip might help the cause along. Finally, Tonic du Charmil is well weighted based on his best chasing form, Grave Doubts has been disappointing of late but has now dropped to a winning mark, the handicapper may have the measure of Megaton now, and Timmy Murphy is an interesting booking for Openide. We shall see but, once again, the selection in a competitive race is Sonnyanjoe.
Glacial Sunset (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Led until headed soon after 2 out, weakened well before last, 4th of 9, 26l behind French Saulaie (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Always behind, 11th of 12, well behind Norma Hill (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Rushneeyriver (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, pushed along after 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 34l behind Prestbury Knight (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jul.
Openide 50-1 (10-9) Held up, blundered 5th, weakened from 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway four out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Tommy Spar (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
La Grande Villez (FR) 5-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and every chance after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 12, 15l behind Norma Hill (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Superfly 14-1 (10-8) Made all, clear approaching 7th, unchallenged, won at N Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Joe Lively (11-1) by 17l, 11 ran.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to lead after 3 out, clear next, ridden flat, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Shady Baron (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Aug.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 12, 16l behind Norma Hill (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Grave Doubts 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division when fell at the 4th in race won by The Grey Man (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul, 11 ran.
Megaton 5-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 24l behind Prestbury Knight (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jul.
Cream Cracker 16-1 (10-13) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 8l behind Capitana (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jul.
Take A Mile (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 4th, behind from next, 11th of 12, 28l behind Pearl King (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Sonnyanjoe (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, 3rd and ridden after 3 out, close 2nd and challenged next, every chance, no impression after last, kept on, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Nintytwo Team (9-10) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gs in Aug.
Joe Lively (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 6th, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Scholar King (10-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Rajayoga 11-2 (11-6) In rear, hampered 6th, soon ridden, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 5l behind Commemoration Day (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Im Spartacus 7-4fav (11-4) Held up, outpaced 2 out, ridden and stayed on from last, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 10l behind Supply And Fix (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Ruby Dante (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden when mistake last, stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating The Big Canadian (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
