tracked winner, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, dropped to 4th over 1f out, weakened final furlong
made all, ridden final furlong, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon switched right to outside, stayed on same pace final 2f
held up in mid-division on outside, weakened 4f out
close 5th on inside, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd over 1f out, no impression
held up last, always behind
steadied start, held up in last pair, ridden and struggling 3f out, no progress
tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, hung left and ridden inside final 2f, no impression on winner final furlong, clear 2nd
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace in 6th and no impression when not much room over 1f out
chased leading trio, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
COUNTRYWIDE FLAME has been running well off this mark over shorter trips lately but showed that stamina was his forte with a wide-margin win over hurdles at Cartmel in August. Dale Swift takes off 3lb today and, with forecast conditions certain to suit, John Quinn's three-year-old should take all the beating. Dark Dune is fairly consistent but his best efforts have been on good to firm ground, while Daytime Dreamer and Brasingaman Eric may be a fraction high in the weights at present. Al Furat landed a gamble here last month but couldn't cope with a higher mark at Catterick next time, though is still preferred to fellow C&D winner Simple Jim and top weight Chookie Hamilton of the others.
Chookie Hamilton 11-4 (10-0) With leader, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Miss Ferney (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Countrywide Flame 13-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, pushed along and soon chased leader, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened and lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Getabuzz (9-6) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Dark Dune (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, staying on same pace when not much room over 2f out, plugged on, 5th of 8, 7l behind Lordofthehouse (8-13) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep.
Daytime Dreamer (IRE) 22-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway and came stand side over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 13, nk behind Miss Ferney (8-9) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Brasingaman Eric 6-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 18l behind The Bells O Peover (9-11) at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Maybeme 40-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, stayed on inside in straight, pushed along over 3f out, no impression final 2f, 10th of 14, 11l behind Trip The Light (9-3) at York 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd.
Simple Jim (FR) 7-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear and keen, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 7l behind Resplendent Ace (9-9) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Categorical 15-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 7f out, went 5th 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 26l behind Moonlight Blaze (8-0) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct '10.
Al Furat (USA) 6-4fav (9-2) Raced keenly towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ad Value (8-7) at Catterick 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Fairest Isle (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, not much room 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 15l behind Deceptive (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
