mid-division, headway after 3 out, led and blundered 2 out, headed last, edged left and not quicken flat
prominent in chasing group, ridden and weakened after 6th
raced wide in mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on steadily from next
close up and chasing group, effort 3 out, led last, hung left flat, driven out
keen hold, prominent to 3rd, soon behind, mistake and pulled up after 6th
led and soon clear, hit 3 out, headed approaching next, weakened and soon eased
behind, moderate late headway
always behind
chased clear leader, outpaced after 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
mistake 1st held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, close up 2 out, not quicken flat
well in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat to take 2nd finish
always behind
behind, mistake 5th, plugged on at one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake next
It is hard to be confident in nominating a possible winner but the selection is Nikolaiev ahead of Admiral Compton and Green Gamble. Having already recorded fair runs here, Admiral Compton and Anna Panna get fairly good mentions, while Swift Sailor would be a leading player based on Flat form but he has yet to cut it over hurdles. Green Gamble has dropped to a competitive mark, we feel, while Nikolaiev has shown enough to suggest that his mark could be fair. Brave Jo showed enough two runs ago at Worcester to also be given some thought, and Foxtrot Yankee has the ability to go well at this level if on one of his better days. Finally, Just Beware comes into this on the back of a fair Fontwell run and Canopus has to be given some thought from the Jonjo O'Neill stable. Overall, though, a tentative vote goes to Nikolaiev.
Anna Panna 11-4 (11-0) Led, headed 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 18l behind Saraba (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Swift Sailor 10-3fav (11-1) Prominent and keen, lost place and not much room approaching 2nd, one pace when hit last, 7th of 13, 8l behind Hugs Destiny (11-1) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Nikolaiev (FR) 11-1 (10-1) Led and soon clear, mistake 5th, 6 lengths ahead 2 out but struggling, headed soon after last, weakened badly flat, 8th of 12, 15l behind Walton Way (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Sept.
Laconicos (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Jacaranda (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 7 ran.
Brave Jo (FR) 13-2 (10-6) In touch, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Ericas Charm (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Mount Benger 28-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and behind, 7th of 9, well behind She's Our Daisy (9-13) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) frm.
Just Beware 40-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders, switched left approaching last, hung left, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Madiba (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Canopus 7-2 (10-7) Behind, ridden 3 out, kept on flat, never troubled leaders, 9th of 13, 20l behind Ericas Charm (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
