chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, rallied on inside 2 out, led between last two, ridden and kept on gamely flat
led, hit 7th, headed before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened before last
took keen hold, held up in 4th, went 3rd 5th, 2nd at 7th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed between last two, kept on same pace flat
held up and always in rear, driven and beaten soon after 3 out
took keen hold tracking leading pair until 5th, stayed chasing leaders, pushed along after next, 3rd and one pace flat
This has cut up badly but still features three previous hurdle winners and a three-times Flat winner. Uptendownone took a bumper at Fontwell last month and is likely to have had plenty of schooling while Sureness still appears to be heading in the right direction. But Kiama Bay didn't beat much at Newton Abbot last month and Conducting's only victory over timber so far came in a seller. BATHWICK STREET gets fast ground for the first time over hurdles and can make it third-time lucky, though will need to jump better than he did last time at Stratford.
Sureness (IRE) 7-4 (11-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, challenging when hit 2 out, ridden between last two, driven to lead before last, ridden clear run-in, won at Southwell 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating My Betty (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Conducting 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and pressing for 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Gran Maestro (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Kiama Bay (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Held up in touch in rear on outside, closed 4th, went 2nd next, led before 2 out, soon hung left, clear when hung badly left before last, readily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug beating Bobby Dove (10-1) by 7l, 7 ran.
Bathwick Street 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, no extra before last, 4th of 7, 15l behind Authorship (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Uptendownone (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased leader final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gf in Aug beating Saver (11-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.