tracked leader, led after 2nd, ridden and headed before last, not pace of winner
held up in last, took keen hold, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, soon closed, led before last, ran on well, readily
led, headed after 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden after 3 out, no impression when bumped 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, no impression when jumped right and pecked 2 out, weakened before last
Nonrunner
LILAC TREE is starting to look a useful recruit to hurdling. In common with most of yard's runners, he's enjoyed a good summer and should be capable of defying a 5lb rise for an easy win in this grade at Stratford last month. Kapstadt was put up 12lb after winning at Stratford in June but has been in decent form on the Flat lately so looks the danger ahead of the returning Triple Chief and Belize. Frozen Over is still 6lb higher than when winning at Ludlow in May and Air Of Glory may be out of his depth at this level.
Lilac Tree 11-8fav (10-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 5th, led going well before last, shaken up and clear when not fluent last, eased towards finish, won at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Desert Recluse (10-11) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Triple Chief (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Tracked winner until pushed along over 3f out, ridden and lost place over 2f out, last of 7, 13 3/4l behind Tizlove Regardless (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Kapstadt (FR) 20-1 (9-6) In touch, nigged along halfway, came centre in straight, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, driven to challenge in 2nd and carried left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Imshivalla (9-6) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Frozen Over 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders who went clear before 2nd, jumped right and not fluent 3rd, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Stand To Reason (10-11) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Air Of Glory (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, left in lead 1st, headed 4 out, beaten from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Roadie Joe (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gs in Sep.
Belize 6-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Rock N Rhythm (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) sft in Mar.
