chased leaders, blundered 8th, challenging when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and mistake last, stayed on to go 2nd flat
held up when refused 13th
in touch, blundered 10th, chased leaders 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, driven out
chased leader, led 6th, headed 10th, mistake 13th, weakened last
led to 6th, led again 10th, headed 2 out, chased winner until no extra flat
CRAIGLANDS is an interesting recruit and is taken to land this prize at the main expense of He's A Hotshot and Some Craic. The selection didn't enjoy much success on his first spell under Rules for Howard Johnson when failing to make the frame in five starts over hurdles. However, he's shown a decent level of form in landing two Hunter Chases this year and he could turn out to be a useful recruit for his shrewd trainer. He's A Hotshot has been raised by just 5lbs for a recent course success but may not be as effective over this longer trip as he is over shorter. Some Craic has no stamina problems but the handicapper appears to have him about right judged on recent efforts and his form suggests that he's better on a faster surface. Soft ground could also be a problem for Corkage who made an impressive chase debut at this track just over a fortnight ago but he could be a player if conditions dry out. Nudge And Nurdle has questions to answer just now but it's probably best to put a line through Ngong Hills' poor run at the start of the month and his earlier efforts bring him into the equation but Craiglands gets the nod.
Corkage (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 10th, headed 4 out, led again 3 out, clear from last, won at Perth 2m 4f nov stks (3) gd beating Buachaill On Eirne (11-4) by 9l, 6 ran.
Some Craic (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Held up in rear, hampered 4th, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on well flat, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Seymar Lad (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Craiglands (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, all out to lead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in May beating Chilling Place (11-13) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Led to 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Histoire De Moeurs (9-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
He's A Hotshot (IRE) 9-4 (10-1) Soon tracking leaders, chased leader from 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, led last, kept on well, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd beating Flemross (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ngong Hills (FR) 4-1fav (10-4) Always towards rear, weakened 14th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Crozan (11-0) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf, 13 ran.
Maidstone Mixture (FR) 13-2 (10-0) Soon in touch, lost place 9th, headway 13th, chased winner 4 out, stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Sandhurst (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
