tracked winner, ridden between 3 out and 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear and off the pace, closed on leading trio 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next
in touch but off the pace, hit 2nd, dropped to last 4th, outpaced next, tired fell 3 out
made all, 5 lengths clear 2 out, hit last, ran on, unchallenged
NonRunner
Snookered was given a superb ride by Henry Brooke to win a similar contest here last month but is 6lb higher now and unlikely to be given the same leeway today. Lucky Icon won at Killarney and Galway in the summer for Thomas Mullins but may need more time to get accustomed to new surroundings. Prancing Oscar remains unexposed and Raise A Spark is a previous course winner but Rukwa has only won a Cartmel maiden so far. I’M TO BLAME (NAP) was 3-4 on this track last season. His only defeat came in a Class 2 here in March and, though 2lb higher on his return, he can resume winnings ways as the likely strong pace should suit.
I'm To Blame (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Tracked leader, progress to challenge when hampered soon after 3 out, every chance when hung left approaching next, hampered and switched right after last, hung right soon after, no extra, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Bordeaux Bill (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Raise A Spark 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened last, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Ardera Cross (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Prancing Oscar (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before pecked slightly last, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Desert Point (12-7) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Rukwa (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked front pair, driven before 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, weakened from last, 4th of 5, 17 3/4l behind Present Ranger (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug.
Snookered (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Aggressively ridden and made all, clear when not fluent 2nd, not fluent 3 out, slightly reduced lead 2 out, well in command again when mistake last, unchallenged, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Nayati (11-12) by 9l, 4 ran.
Lucky Icon (IRE) 11-10fav (10-2) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Hugoigo (10-8) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
