held up in last pair, not fluent 2nd, headway to 4th 4 out, went 3rd 3 out until before last, stayed on same pace flat
led until 4th, chased leader until 12th, chased leading pair until hit 3 out, weakened soon after, plugged on from last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12th, led 4 out, went left 3 out, in command next, driven out
pressed leader, led 4th, headed 4 out, chased winner after, held from 2 out, not fluent last
with leaders until jumped slowly 1st, in touch, jumped slowly 2nd, went 4th at 5th, driven before 11th, weakened 4 out
chased leading trio until jumped slowly and lost place 5th, last and struggling when hit 10th, rallied before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway from 5th, reminder before 11th, stumbled next, weakened 4 out
Lucinda Russell runs three, of which FOG PATCHES makes most appeal in an open contest. He's been in the money in five of seven chase starts, including a heavy ground Hexham success. His ability to go on this ground could be the determining factor. Athronan faces a tough ask off top-weight and it wouldn't come as the greatest surprise if Solway Dornal gets involved despite being 5lb out of the handicap. He's gone well on both starts over fences since having his attention turned to the larger obstacles, including a comfortable success over The Darling Boy at Sedgefield. The ground is admittedly a concern but he's a player if there's no further rain.
Athronan (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) Waited with, closer in 9th before 5 out, progress to chase leaders from before next, no extra and kept on same pace from before 3 out, 7th of 16, 22l behind Kalico Kim (11-3) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Jun.
Hurricane Jack 5-1 (11-6) Led, blundered and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 27l behind Blazin White Face (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Fog Patches (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader, effort to challenge 3 out (usual 4 out), every chance when blundered and rider lost iron next, no impression in 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Red Kingdom (11-8) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Jul.
Via Archimede (USA) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 24l behind What A Steel (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Northern Flame (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 7th, struggling 11th, weakened before last (usual 2 out), 7th of 10, well behind Inamalabalusaloon (10-13) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Jul.
Oh Right (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) In touch, lost place 2 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Marju King (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Solway Dornal 11-10fav (10-0) Held up, not fluent 9th, closed 13th, went 3rd before 4 out, not fluent and outpaced from next, plugged on, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Hathamore (10-2) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
