tracked leader, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up approaching last
held up and keen, weakened 3 out, lost touch
in touch and keen, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, took 2nd approaching 2 out
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, good headway approaching 3 out, led soon after 3 out, soon clear and hung left
in touch and keen, mistake and lost place 3rd, dropped rear and pulled up soon after 4th
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, gradually weakened
led, ridden when headed soon after 3 out, weakened quickly and mistake 2 out
Tavalu is going the right way and has been found a suitable opportunity to open his account at the expense of Delta Force, Orion Express and River Tigris. Tavalu is still a maiden under both codes, but shaped well on each of his last two starts over timber at Fontwell a couple of months ago, finishing second both times. Since then, Gary Moore's charge has had two outings on the Flat, the latest of which saw him finish third of six at Epsom. By no stretch of the imagination is he anything special, but he should pick up his fair share of races over hurdles this winter. Flat recruit Delta Force last won two years ago, but is sure to have been well schooled in his bid to make an immediate impact over timber, while Orion Express bettered anything that he had achieved on the level when chasing home Top Trees over the course-and-distance last time. Ex-pointer River Tigris made her debut under rules in the Listed Aintree bumper won by Rhacophorus in April, finishing a creditable seventh, and is another that is sure to have been well schooled. She could easily progress pass most of these in time, but on this occasion lack of a run is a slight concern, even though the Pipe yard get them fit quickly, and we return to Tavalu as the pick.
Cornish Jack 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 5th, soon well behind, 6th of 8, well behind Grand Slam Hero (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Delta Force 12-1 (7-13) Keen, chased leaders, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 7l behind Pseudonym (8-2) at Warwick 1m 7f hcap (4) gf in Jun (Flat).
Massimo (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 45l behind Cerium (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb '05.
Massini Sunset (IRE) (12-0) 3rd of 12, 14l behind Run For Churchtown (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp sft in May.
Orion Express 9-1 (10-11) In touch, headway after 5th, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, switched left last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Top Trees (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 3f hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jul.
Tavalu (USA) 9-4 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, not pace of winner, eased close home, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Tagula Blue (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
River Tigris (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 22, 9l behind Rhacophorus (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f mrs lst nhf (1) gd in Apr.
Baileys Best 7-2 (10-12) Prominent, 3rd before halfway, 5th and ridden 4 out, 6th next, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 22, 8l behind Kells Castle (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
