tracked leader, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
led, pushed along when hard pressed after 3 out, ridden between last 2, headed when not fluent and slightly hampered last, outpaced flat
in touch, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, weakened before next
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, never on terms with front pair, lost modest 3rd flat
held up in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace, never able to challenge
held up in touch, headway on outside after 4th, went 2nd and poised to challenge after 3 out, ridden between last 2, led when went left last, drew readily clear flat
held up in rear, struggling 3 out, never a threat
There are a number of disappointing types in this but ACKER BILK was having only his third run on Turf when making a winning start over timber at Worcester. That form is not particularly strong and he has a penalty but, only four, should have more to offer. Another four-year-old, Casement, won on the Flat when trained by Roger Charlton. Now with Alan King, he’ll have had plenty of schooling. Maraakib has also won on the level but not since 2015 and he is looking a light of former days and is also held on the form book. Shiroccan Roll was third in a bumper in the spring but a handicap mark of 107 flatters Auld Sod.
Acker Bilk (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led before 2 out, ran on well, won at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gs in Aug beating Astute Boy (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Auld Sod (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Sofia's Rock (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Buachaill Beag 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, stumbled 2nd, led soon after, clear when ran wide on bend after 4th, ran out and crashed through wing 6th, at Towcester 2m 3f mdn (5) gf in May.
Casement (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, recovered to lead after 2f, headed 3f out, lost place over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, tailed off, 8th of 10, 28 3/4l behind Pensax Boy (10-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Great Fairy (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Cul De Poule (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Maraakib (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, went right at 3rd, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders, 7th of 15, 15l behind Delirant (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Shiroccan Roll 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8 3/4l behind Rhythm Is A Dancer (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) gd in May.
Stand By Me (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Always behind, 13th of 15, dist behind Smaoineamh Alainn (10-11) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Plymouth Sound 50-1 (10-12) Jumped slowly and rider lost irons briefly 1st, headway after 4th, pushed along 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, last of 7, dist behind Leapaway (12-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (3) gd in Sep.
