led, headed approaching 2 out, not fluent, weakened last
held up towards rear, never on terms
held up towards rear, kept on 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, challenged 2 out, one pace from last
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, led next, kept on well flat
held up in touch, ridden approaching last, kept on to chase winner towards finish, always held
held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, challenged next, no extra flat
held up mid-division, lost place approaching 3 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on from last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat
with leader, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Pillar Of Hercules is dropping to a decent mark but hasn't shown enough of late to earn the vote so we'll side with the in-form MCMURDO SOUND ahead of Annibale Caro. The selection is another from the powerful Elliot raiding party and bids to overcome a 12lb rise in the weights following a facile success in a maiden hurdle at Sedgefield. The runner-up is due to run in the opening race on the card so it will be worth checking to see whether he can frank the form but the win was McMurdo Sound's first run in a tongue tie and the aid may have made all the difference. Pillar Of Hercules has won a couple of races over hurdles in Ireland under similar conditions but has been in modest form in the main ever since, including for his new yard. He has ability and is worth checking for signs of market confidence. Annibale Caro won well over course and distance in July and isn't handicapped out of this as he appears to be an improved performer over obstacles this year. Front Rank has no margin for error from his current mark, Civil Servant needs to improve as do He's Cool and Annoy The Saints but all three are interesting runners in a competitive heat which can go the way of McMurdo Sound.
Front Rank (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Tracked leader, challenged after 2f out, led last, ridden clear flat comfortably, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Aug beating Lutea (10-5) by 11l, 8 ran.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression, 6th of 10, 14l behind Well Disguised (9-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Portavadie 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 19l behind Strobe (9-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Calculaite 7-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hit 5th, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 16l behind Acambo (12-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
McMurdo Sound (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) In touch, headway after 3 out, upsides when left clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (4yo+) (4) gf beating Mesbaah (11-0) by 15l, 12 ran.
Civil Servant 7-2 (10-11) Close up, led after 2nd, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 12l behind High Gales (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Pillar of Hercules (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Held up in last, raced keenly, still appeared to be travelling well 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Rajeh (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
He's Cool (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway and not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, chased winner next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Semi Detached (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Annoy The Saints (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, well behind Deal Or No Deal (11-5) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Aug.
Strobe 14-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 5th, blundered and lost place next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Dancing Mist (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Sendali (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, led 2 out, headed flat, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Pontop (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Annibale Caro 3-1fav (11-10) In touch, led 4th, headed 3 out, rallied next, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Semi Detached (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, behind from 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Galaxy Rock (11-2) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Soubriquet (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in group of 5 off the pace, not fluent 1st or 2nd, ridden and effort after 8th, well beaten after 4 out, 6th of 7, 36l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Led, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Follow On (9-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May, 7 ran.
