held up, chased leaders approaching 3 out, headway to challenge 2 out, led last and driven out flat
held up in touch, weakened approaching and pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened from approaching last
in touch, ridden 3 out, close up until one pace flat
tracked leader, smooth headway to lead 3 out, soon ridden, kept on until headed last and no extra flat
Double Deputy gets the vote over Canadian Sunset, Sybellius D'artaix and Bali Bay, with Browneyes Blue having it to do with his weight. This has the makings of an interesting little contest, and one in which Double Deputy can make the most of this step up in trip to follow up his Market Rasen victory. John Quinn's charge beat a decent field that day, and as he lined up there 10lb higher than for his previous success, it is obvious that he has found his form with a vengeance. A further 6lb hike in the ratings is unlikely to inconvenience him, and a follow-up is on the cards. Canadian Sunset returns to the scene of his latest victory, but that was on easier ground, and he will find conditions plenty fast enough. Ex-French chaser Sybellius D'artaix won his last outing over hurdles, but has a lot more to do here, while former New Zealand Flat horse Bali Bay is another that is best watched as regards the ground, his two outings down under coming on much softer going. Browneyes Blue was tailed off over fences at Cartmel last time, hardly the right preparation for this, and so we return to Double Deputy as the form pick.
Browneyes Blue (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, never able to challenge, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind First Cry (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Double Deputy (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, close up 5th, led 3 out, edged left flat, kept on, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Orion Express (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sybellius D'artaix (FR) (9-13) pulled up in race won by Kan Nejd (10-1) at Waregem 2m 7f hcp chs gd in Aug, 13 ran.
Canadian Sunset (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway to lead after 3 out, soon clear, driven out flat, won at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Medianoche (10-12) by 1l, 5 ran.
Bali Bay (NZ) Marju gelding out of Blushing Bali.