tracked leaders, mistake 1st, took keen hold, led before 2 out, soon clear, pressed and narrow lead last when mistake, soon headed, weakened towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd from 2 out, challenged last, soon led, kept on well
close up, ridden 2 out, kept on run-in
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced from 3 out, never dangerous
led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
held up mid-division, went 3rd 3 out, ridden before and mistake 2 out, in 3rd before last, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
in rear, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up
Tabou Beach Boy was still beaten more than 30 lengths when second over track and trip last month and has switched stables since. Soft Summer Rain never figured when fifth at Chepstow but Mick Easterby’s filly can only improve on that. Phil Kirby’s pair, Fasterkhani and Gordalan, have both won on the Flat recently and shouldn’t have any stamina issues. The latter looks the pick of the pair on jockey bookings but BEECHWOOD JUDE (NAP) represents better class. He won over 2m on the Flat at Musselburgh last month and should be too good for these if his jumping is up to scratch.
Beechwood Jude (FR) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, shaken up to challenge inside final 2f, led inside final furlong, ridden out, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Normal Norman (10-1) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Fasterkhani 20-1 (8-7) Led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Miss Ranger (9-2) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
George Hastings 40-1 (10-12) Behind from 4th, no chance when jumped left and hit 2 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Robeam (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Geyser 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway on outside after 4 out, disputing 3rd when mistake 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 25 3/4l behind Maria Magdalena (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Gordalan 18-1 (8-11) Keen made all, clear after 4f, increased lead 7f out, unchallenged, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Masters Apprentice (9-6) by 8l, 8 ran.
Neileta 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, well beaten before 3 out, mistake 2 out, 5th of 10, 36l behind Lady Shanawell (10-11) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Rent's Dew (IRE) 18-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, ridden and struggling 4f out, last of 13, 34 3/4l behind Cheng Gong (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Tabou Beach Boy 13-2 (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, hit 5th, headed after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 32l behind Robeam (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Juals Spirit (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up, reminders 3 out, headway approaching last, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Midnights' Gift (10-10) at Fakenham 2m fll (4) gd in Oct.
Soft Summer Rain 50-1 (10-5) Never fluent, behind most of way, plugged on, 5th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Nordano (11-4) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Oct.
