pressed leader, left in lead bend before 3 out, clear flat, easily
tracked leaders on inside, raced keenly, not much room when not fluent 13th, every chance 3 out, held from last, kept on
led, slipped on bend before 3 out and headed, 4th and looked well held 2 out, rallied flat, ran on, went 3rd towards finish
held up in rear on inside, hit 9th, not fluent 10th, mistake 14th, tried to press for places flat, no impression
in rear, slow 7th, pushed along 4 out, ran on flat, nearest finish
in touch on outside, not fluent 9th, pushed along 11th, lost place next, behind 14th, pulled up before 4 out
mostly chased leaders, not always fluent, close up 3 out, held next, kept on flat
NonRunner
In-form sorts in an interesting contest with JUGE ET PARTI the choice. He's shaped well over fences the last twice, has trip and ground to suit and Brian Hughes is booked on the gelding's first start for James Ewart. Staple Head, a recruit from the pointing scene, scored snugly over regulation fences and a much shorter trip last month and should be in the mix if handling the step-up to 3m. Sketrick didn't go too badly when third on chasing debut and looks on a nice mark, but the main danger could well be fellow Irish raider, O'Connell Street. He impressed last time over hurdles at Hexham, looks progressive and now steps up in trip to make his chasing bow.
Juge Et Parti (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Chased leader, challenged 3 out, soon led, asserting when jumped right and not fluent 2 out, soon well clear, easily, won at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (4) sft in May beating Miss Jeanne Moon (11-10) by 20l, 4 ran.
O Connell Street (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, smooth headway 3 out, headed leader before last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Peaceful Sunday (11-4) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
Staple Head (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Jumped right, led until 3rd, chased leader, pecked 5th, led before 3 out, soon headed but quickly left in lead at 3 out, veered right 2 out, soon hung left and swishing tail, looked far from cooperative but driven clear flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Shady Oaks (10-9) by 4l, 8 ran.
Avoid De Master (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In rear, not fluent 8th, modest 4th from 10th, no impression, 4th of 5, 30 3/4l behind Presentandcounting (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Southern Girl (IRE) 18-1 (11-11) Prominent until 1st, chased leaders, slow and lost place 7th, closed from 12th, outpaced before 14th, well beaten from 3 out, remote 5th when pulled up after 2 out, at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (4) sft in May.
Sketrick (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up in rear, slow 4th, closed 13th, pushed along before 4 out, no impression 3 out, jumped left 2 out, kept on flat, went 2nd briefly, no impression on winner, 3rd of 6, 14 3/4l behind Hitman Fred (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Holme Abbey 11-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, closed 9th, outpaced 2 out, well held after, plugged on flat, 5th of 14, 19 3/4l behind Graystown (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Spider's Bite (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 17th, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
