took keen hold, chased leader, hit 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd near finish and closed on winner, just failed
raced keenly, led, clear 3rd until hit 5th, went right next, headed and hit 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, no extra before last
took keen hold in rear, mistake 2nd, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden and no extra next, hit last
chased leaders, hit 7th, went 2nd last, driven and kept on under pressure flat, one pace in 3rd close home
mistake 1st, chased leaders, pushed along and lost place approaching 7th, last and outpaced next, rallied on inside to lead 2 out, hard driven from last, just held on all out
Nonrunner
Ryton Runner is yet another due to run on the first day of the meeting but does look high enough in the weights if asked to follow up here. Solis scored with a great deal to spare at Cartmel when defeating Dundock by 13l and should confirm placings despite a 7lb penalty, although the latter should get closer on these terms. However, both are taken on with Tony Martin's raider, TOP FOUR, with Jason Maguire a good booking. He's been third on his last three starts, all over fences in decent contests, and really does tick the boxes regarding stamina and ability to handle the ground now asked to revert to timber. Gordon Elliott's record here is there for all to see but Western Bound has been beaten in a claimer and a seller the last twice.
Western Bound (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on to go 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gd in May.
Ryton Runner (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Chased clear leaders, mistake 1st, jumped right and not fluent after, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 37l behind Scotswell (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Knight Valliant 11-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, lost place before 5th, soon tailed off in rear, 9th of 12, 44l behind Geminus (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jul.
Solis (GER) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led 3 out, clear before after 2 out, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Jul beating Dundock (11-3) by 13l, 13 ran.
Top Four (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Waited with towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 2 out, went 2nd on inner and challenged from before last where hampered, soon no extra in 2nd and kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Supreme Doc (11-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Jun.
Dundock 11-2fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 13, 13l behind Solis (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Jul.
Vallani (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Almutaham (11-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Keltic Crisis (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 3 out, chased leading pair before next, went 2nd between last 2, ridden and kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Royal Scoundrel (11-0) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.