jumped slowly 1st, in rear and never going well after, tailed off
in touch, ridden 4 out, headway to chase winner 2 out, no impression flat
chased leaders to 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
held up in rear, driven along 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, went 3rd flat
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed well before 2 out, weakened soon after
led 1st, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly
chased leader until mistake and weakened 3 out, 8th and no chance when blundered last
chased leaders, blundered 3 out, soon no chance with front pair, lost 3rd flat
held up in rear, effort 6th, soon ridden, weakened and tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
held up, driven along approaching 3 out, rapid headway under pressure on outside to lead well before 2 out, driven out
in touch, effort 5th, weakened 3 out
This selling handicap hurdle can go to Three Ships ahead of the consistent Chunky Lad and Seattle Robber. Having shaped with plenty of promise when second on his reappearance run, the selection then disappointed next time up in a similar race at Stratford. One thing in his favour is his handicap mark which continues to fall, and we will take him to bounce back to form. Chunky Lad looks a big danger given his consistent level of form however he tends to find at least one too good and the feeling is that this may just occur once again. Khyberie and Amnesty will both be hoping to build on more promising runs when last seen but neither is particularly reliable, so of more interest may be Simonovski. Whilst he has only won once in 28 starts, and his jumping is decidedly suspect, he does have some ability and could go well. Batchworth Beau has winning course and distance form and may spring a bit of a shock, and whilst Seattle Robber has solid claims on the pick of his form, it is Three Ships that we return to as the tentative nomination.
Simonovski (USA) 20-1 (10-6) Led to 4th, led again 6th, headed approaching 9th, strongly ridden, disputing 4th when fell 3 out in race won by Herne Bay (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf, 13 ran.
Chunky Lad 13-2 (10-5) Reluctanct to race, headway to chase leaders 3rd, mistake 2 out, hard ridden flat, stayed on, 4th of 18, 2 1/2l behind Elaala (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Rinty (NZ) 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division when fell at the 5th in race won by Kilrogan (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hcp chs (4) gf, 13 ran.
Seattle Robber 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 12l behind Touch of Ivory (10-13) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Kaikovra (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, led, headed when blundered 2nd, soon lost place, jumped right 4th, behind after, 8th of 13, 35l behind Le Corvee (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Oyez (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden from 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 12l behind Le Corvee (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Batchworth Beau 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 4th, mistake 2 out, headed soon after and weakened, 14th of 16, 46l behind Notre Cyborg (11-2) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Three Ships 3-1fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 6th and soon weakened, 8th of 13, 32l behind Contra Mundum (10-11) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Khyberie 16-1 (10-5) Behind, some late headway, never a factor, 4th of 10, 29l behind Notre Cyborg (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Amnesty 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 6th, headway approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Hollywood (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Queen Excalibur 16-1 (10-13) Towards rear, shaken up 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 9l behind Abutilon (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs (5) gf.
