held up, hard ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, ran on under pressure flat
prominent, went 2nd 6th 3 out and soon weakened
led, headed soon after 3 out, chasing winner when hung left and hit 2 out, soon no impression, just held on for 2nd near finish
tracked leader to 6th, weakened next
in touch when fell 2nd
tracked leaders, took lead soon after 3 out, in command when blundered when rider lost iron last, driven out flat
held up in rear, hit 6th, ridden and no impression 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat
Jacaranda, Alrafid and Wembury Point are the three to look at in this competitive affair and Jacaranda is capable of completing the hat trick. A winner at Sedgfield and Fontwell in novice contests last season and he shaped well last time out in handicap company, just touched off close home. He is in good heart at present and is fully capable of returning to winning form but faces some tough rivals here. Alrafid advertised his wellbeing by scoring over fences last time and reverts to the smaller obstacles here. A winner of a novice contest earlier in his career, Alrafid is yet to get his head in front in handicap company. However, he is still well treated and is another to respect. Jacaranda was very impressive when scoring at Stratford two outings ago, and although he had to be ridden to land the odds last time, he is the one they all have to beat. He showed his willingness to battle last time, and having won thre of his last four, despite having gone up eleven pounds in the ratings, Jacaranda can lead them home.
Alrafid (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, left 3rd at 2nd, hit 6th, tracked leaders after 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Aug beating Lord Jay Jay (11-3) by 2l, 5 ran.
Jacaranda (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leader after 4 out, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug beating Tashkandi (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Castleshane (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon lost place, 9th of 13, 29l behind Brooklyn Breeze (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Oct.
Wembury Point (IRE) 22-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Moon Catcher (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Major Jon (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Never a factor and pulled up 2 out in race won by Academy Jo (11-12) at Killarney 2m 6f beg chs gf in Jul, 14 ran.
Creinch 7-2 (11-5) Led to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 17l behind The Rocking Dock (11-2) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Jun.
Domenico (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) In touch until weakened before 3 out, 8th of 10, 26l behind Dolzago (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
