chased leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, not fluent 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat
held up in rear, closed from after 6th, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
jumped left and big at times, held up, closed on outside 4 out, mistake next, soon weakened
led, clear after 2nd until 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, not much room before awkward last, no impression flat
chased leader until 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next
held up, not fluent 4th, jumped right next, pushed along after 6th, well behind 3 out, went remote 4th towards finish
Shaman Du Berlais is only rated a pound lower than RUTHLESS ARTICLE but is receiving 12lb. Tim Vaughan’s charge has missed better opportunities, however, and races over a trip that is probably too short following a five-month absence. Rebecca Curtis’ Bangor winner is improving and can record a third victory as Dorking Boy continues to disappoint and Footloose weakened quickly at Hexham and may need more time.
Ruthless Article (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 5 out, led after 3 out, drew clear last, ran on strongly, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) gd in Aug beating Winding Roe (10-12) by 12l, 5 ran.
Dorking Boy 11-4 (10-12) Held up in rear, well behind leaders after 2nd, very remote 6th 2 out, never any chance, 6th of 11, dist behind Highly Prized (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (3) gd in Aug.
Earth Spirit 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, pulled up, at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Jan.
Shaman Du Berlais (FR) 2-1 (11-1) Led, jumped right 1st, ridden and headed before 2 out, 4th and no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Carrick Roads (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Atomic Article (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Jacamar (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (3) gs in Sep.
Bluebell Sally (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, dist behind Teeton Power (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Footloose 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, weakened and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 10, 17 3/4l behind Raashdy (11-0) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) gd in Sep.
