never travelled in rear, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, reminders after 6th, tailed off when mistake 12th, pulled up before next
led but pressed and soon clear with rival who set strong pace, headed 8th, chased leader until weakened 4 out
mistake 1st, held up well in rear, closed steadily approaching 4 out, went modest 3rd before next, blundered 2 out
refused to race and took no part
always rear-division, never on terms, tailed off
chased clear leading pair until 6th, remained prominent in chasing group, mistake 11th (water), weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
prominent in chasing group, closer after 14th, 2nd after next, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no chance with winner
prominent in chasing group, closer after 14th, led 4 out, went clear next, stayed on strongly
pressed leader who set strong pace and clear of field, led 8th, came back to the field after 14th, headed and weakened 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Soupy Soups finished in front of Graineyhill in the race won by Amalfi Doug here earlier in the month but this contest has more depth to it. It would be no surprise to see The Queen’s Forth Bridge run well on his return to action and his yard is in good form. Topofthecotswolds has won his last three but all have been at Stratford. Le Musee has won over 3m over hurdles but he has shown his best form over fences over shorter trips, including here last time. INDIAN TEMPLE fell in that latter contest but was upsides the winner at the time and is now 8lb better off. He can hold off another course specialist in Traditional Dancer and record a fourth victory at this venue.
Le Musee (FR) 5-2 (11-6) Held up in 4th, hit 8th, headway on outside after 10th, soon challenged, left in lead 3 out, ridden before next, clear last, stayed on, comfortably, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Sep beating Boy's On Tour (10-0) by 12l, 5 ran.
Indian Temple (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Led or disputed lead, driven and narrow advantage when landed awkwardly and unseated rider 3 out, at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up, closed from 12th, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Shoal Bay (11-4) by 8l, 5 ran.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Allowed clear lead throughout and made all, shaken up after last, driven out flat, unchallenged, won at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Aug beating Henryville (11-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Forth Bridge 7-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, left 4th next, one pace and no impression, 4th of 13, 15 1/4l behind Born Survivor (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Ned Stark (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Waited with, soon towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, pushed along from 4 out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 37 3/4l behind Black Label (9-11) at Bellewstown 3m hcp gd in Aug.
Graineyhill (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) In touch on outside, mistake 9th, went 2nd and poised to challenge before 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression flat, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Amalfi Doug (11-10) at Perth 3m hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Soupy Soups (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden after next, rallied flat, went 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Amalfi Doug (11-10) at Perth 3m hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Elmono (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Prominent, led after 2nd, driven 2 lengths clear 2 out, soon ridden, hard pressed when fell last, at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
