prominent until 4th, tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden and stayed on same pace approaching 2 out, held when mistake last
in touch, lost place after 6th, last next until rallied approaching 2 out, switched right before last, jumped left and went 2nd at hurdle, stayed on, no impression on winner
mid-division on inside, lost place after 3 out
held up towards rear, bumped 1st, not fluent 6th, headway on outside before 7th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, edged right and led approaching last, clear flat, stayed on
prominent, took keen hold, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, hampered last
led, ridden before 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace
mid-division on outside, bumped 1st, headway before 5th, not fluent next, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next
mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, no impression after
held up in rear, struggling 3 out
Nonrunner
The stables of Jonjo O'Neill and John Ferguson are in great form and the pair are represented here by Join The Clan and Aalim respectively. The latter has been in the better form and arrives off the back of a win over further at Southwell. Henryville was going well in the spring and could figure if fully wound up following a break and he makes more appeal than the Pipe pair Massannie and Azza. Vesperal Dream might be happier back over hurdles but hasn't been very effective on a soft surface in the past. CLERK'S CHOICE hasn't won over hurdles since 2010 but landed a handicap on the Polytrack at the end of last year and should give a good account here as he was clear of the others when second at Market Rasen last month.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Prominent not fluent 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner last, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Enchanted Garden (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Jul.
On The Bridge (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 10, 22l behind Shubaat (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Jul.
Join The Clan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear on outside, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Enchanted Garden (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Jul, 9 ran.
Aalim 3-1fav (11-1) Held up in touch, headway tracking leaders 5th, disputing 2nd from next, challenged on outside travelling well 2 out, led approaching and hit last, hung badly left under pressure 100 yards out, held on, won at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd beating Capellanus (10-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Henryville 5-2fav (10-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th or 4 out, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before jumping left last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Massannie (IRE) 8-11fav (10-5) Tracked leader, weakened from 4 out, not fluent last, last of 3, 37l behind Degooch (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jul.
Azza (FR) 1-2fav (10-0) Chased winner until 4th, chased leading pair until approaching 7th, went 2nd again next, stumbled 4 out, upsides and every chance next, not fluent 2 out, 3 lengths down and looked held when fell last, in a race won by Hallings Comet (11-6) at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd, 5 ran.
Vesperal Dream (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up, headway tracking leaders 6th, chased leading pair after 9th, outpaced before blundered 11th, weakened and no chance with leading duo, just held on for poor 3rd, 3rd of 6, well behind Luci Di Mezzanotte (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (4) gd in Jul.
Hawkhill (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until 2nd, prominent, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 10, 14l behind Tzora (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gf.
Cool George 11-8fav (11-0) Led, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, went 3rd 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind River Deep (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) hvy in May.
Look For Love 10-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, modest 5th when jumped right 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd flat, never dangerous, 3rd of 11, 19l behind Detroit Red (10-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
