jumped poorly, soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up 6th
not fluent, raced freely and soon well clear, in command when hit 3 out, unchallenged
in touch, driven and not run on before 5th, pulled up before next
keen hold in touch in chasing group, went 2nd before 6th to after 3 out, weakened
chased clear winner to before 6th, weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
pulled hard, in touch in chasing group, ridden and struggling 5th, pulled up next
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway to go 2nd after 3 out to 2 out, weakening when blundered and nearly unseated rider last
held up, headway under pressure from 3 out, went poor 2nd and hit 2 out and last
prominent in chasing group, hit 5th, well outpaced from next, took poor 3rd run-in
Kristoffersen is one of the more exposed runners here but should be good enough to land first prize, Barking Mad and Autumn Fantasy look to be the main rivals. The Ian Williams trained five-year-old landed a decent race at Aintree back in June, but has really progressed from that. However he drops into claiming company this afternoon and should find this much easier. Barking Mad has been on the go since March, running sixteen times. He didn't show too much promise on his hurdles debut, but will have learnt from the experience and he could be set for some place money. Autumn Fantasy has bits and pieces of form from last season that suggest he could be involved in the finish of this very poor contest, however Kristoffersen looks to have the better credentials and gets the verdict.
Queenstown (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, tracked leader to 4th, soon lost place, saddle slipped and pulled up 4 out in race won by Dusky Lord (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd, 16 ran.
Barking Mad (USA) 15-2 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 1st, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Compton Drake (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Kristoffersen 11-2 (11-2) Prominent, ridden approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, hung left from last, 4th of 11, 23l behind Flotta (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
Milk And Sultana 10-1 (9-12) In touch, ridden and weakening 3 out and fell 2 out in race won by Davy's Luck (10-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf, 15 ran.
Autumn Fantasy (USA) 7-2jt-fav (10-4) Held up rear, headway when blundered 6th, weakened 11th, 7th of 8, well behind Native Daisy (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Buthaina (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Always behind, 12th of 13, 18l behind Bold Phoenix (9-0) at Southwell 7f stk (7) fbs (Flat).
Somewhere My Love 25-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, lost place well over 3f out, came very wide entering straight and virtually pulled up, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Phoenix Eye (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol (Flat).
Waziya 12-1 (10-3) Chased leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed after 9th, weakened quickly, 5th of 6, well behind Penny's Crown (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (G) gs.