in touch until weakened after 3 out, behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort next, went 2nd approaching last, kept on
in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, hung left, lost 2nd approaching last, kept on
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
prominent, ridden approaching 5th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, some progress under pressure after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 3 out, shaken up, ran on well flat
led until 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
prominent, led 5th, soon ridden, headed next, weakened 2 out
mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
Plenty of chances in this competitive heat, and from a shortlist of Simba Sun, Kirkhammerton and Royal Rationale, we'll side with Royal Rationale. The selection, a Pipe/Scudamore combo, won a maiden hurdle at Chepstow earlier in the year, after spending the first half of his career on the flat. He can defy top weight here, to come from off the pace. Kirkhammerton from the in-form Stimpson yard is their only runner on the card, but must think it's worth the long trip down from Staffordshire. Regularly in the frame, he keeps finding one or two too good for him Simba Sun's having his first hurdles outing in 5 months, after a couple of disappointing efforts on the flat at Sandown. Regularly placed over the sticks, he's yet to win this type of contest, but has it within his capabilities. It could be quite a lively market, and we'll side with Royal Rationale.
Simba Sun (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Sonning Star (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Behind, headway after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 14, 17l behind Viper (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Winsley Hill 11-8fav (10-8) Always in touch, led just after 2 out, stayed on well flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Grasscutter (10-9) by 4l, 11 ran.
Daraybad (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Held up, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, beaten next, 5th of 8, 16l behind Humid Climate (10-1) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led after 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Shore Thing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Five A Side 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Red Admiral (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Raise Again (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 8l behind Huguenot (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Histoire De Moeurs (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led and going well approaching 3 out, ridden clear from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gd in Jul beating Thunderclap (10-10) by 9l, 15 ran.
Head To Kerry (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, never on terms, 8th of 12, 16l behind Sonic Anthem (11-5) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Party Palace 10-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, ridden 7th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 13, 29l behind Sister Agnes (9-9) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
How Realee (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 27l behind Darfen (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Over Ice 16-1 (10-10) Held up, keen, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Starofthemorning (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
