held up behind leaders, took keen hold, niggled along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
disputed lead, not fluent 4th, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
made most until 2 out, no impression on winner when lost 2nd and mistake last
chased leaders, not much room after 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, comfortably
held up behind leaders on outside, fell 5th
Clearance won a shade cosily here last month and has only been raised 4lb whereas The Grey Falco has gone up 9lb for winning at Southwell. Just The Man has been knocking on the door recently and Nevendon ran well at Fakenham after winning a Stratford seller when well ahead of the subsequent winner Call Me Rocky. PHOENIX RISEN (NAP), twice a winner at Taunton in the spring, was just beaten in a bunch finish at Fontwell last month after leading over the last and can race off the same mark today.
The Grey Falco (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance 2 out, led approaching next, comfortable, won at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Clody Flyer (11-5) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Just The Man (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, went 2nd going well home turn, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Manor Park (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Nevendon 9-2 (11-0) Led early, soon held up behind leaders, outpaced over 1f out, ran on inside final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Let Her Loose (11-2) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Call Me Rocky (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Prominent, keen when in third after 5th, going well behind leaders 2 out, went second before final flight, ridden and chased leader on run in, stayed on strongly to lead post, just prevailed, won at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul beating The Geordie Ginge (11-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Clearance 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, briefly ridden before bypassing usual 2 out where pushed along, soon pressed leader, 1 length behind approaching last, stayed on well run-in, led near finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Enthused (11-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Phoenix Risen 5-1 (11-6) Held up in last trio, good headway out wide after 5th, chased leaders 3 out, led before next, headed between last two, still every chance run-in, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Tara Iti (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
