mid-division, dropped rear 8th, ridden after 4 out, hampered next, went 4th 2 out, one pace last, no impression on front pair flat, pressed for 3rd near finish
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 6th, lost place 9th, behind 3 out
held up in rear, headway before 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, waited with behind winner, produced to challenge and hard ridden flat, held close home
held up in rear, headway on outside when not fluent 8th, jumped left 3 out, went 3rd when jumped left next, one pace last
led, went clear until not fluent 7th, not fluent 9th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
chased clear leader, closed 7th, challenged 3 out, soon led, held on gamely flat
Boxer Beat is proving very hard to win with and Sublime Talent is encountering similar problems - neither is getting much help from the handicapper. Nikos Extra has won his last two starts, however, and though he might struggle to complete the hat-trick on this sharp track dropped in trip he does have the beating of Respectueux on the form book. GUD DAY isn't an easy ride but Ally Stirling managed to keep him interested for most of the way at Stratford last time and a similar effort here would probably suffice as Mission To Mars lacks experience and a recent run.
Nikos Extra (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, ridden after 2 out, led before last, shaken up and came clear flat, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Aug beating Drumlang (12-2) by 5l, 5 ran.
Boxer Beat (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Led early, soon chased leader in moderate 2nd, closer order last, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Coldstonesober (9-12) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd.
Politeo (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 5th, ridden before 9th, soon lost place, well behind after 4 out, last of 5, 44l behind Hollow Penny (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Sublime Talent (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden to close flat, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Hollow Penny (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Gud Day (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, went 3rd when mistake and rider lost iron 2 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Another Flutter (11-8) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Respectueux (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Led until 7th, ridden and weakened next, 6th of 7, well behind Nikos Extra (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Mission To Mars (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, went 3rd 3 out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 4, 44l behind Bellenos (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Apr.
