led until after 4th, led again before 8th, headed after next, 3rd when lost action and pulled up after 8th
held up in rear when badly hampered and unseated rider 7th
held up in touch, headway to join leaders 9th, led before next, headed 11th, led again 16th, rider mistakenly thought 2 out was omitted and horse ran out
tracked leaders, fell 7th
held up in rear, headway 10th, chased leaders 5 out, left in lead 2 out, stayed on well (1 fence omitted)
in touch, chased leaders halfway, driven to challenge 3 out, left in 2nd 2 out, never a threat
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed before 8th, led again 11th, headed 16th, left in 3rd 2 out, soon weakened
Peter Bowen trained the winner of this in 2016 and is responsible for Henri Parry Morgan but the top weight was soon beaten at Chepstow last week. East Street is suited by good ground and has only found one too good the last twice. His stamina will have to be taken on trust but he’s just preferred to last month’s Perth third Brian Boranha, who also steps up in trip. Fact Of The Matter is a dour stayer but has gone up 5lb since his second at Cartmel in August with a subsequent run coming off a lower mark over hurdles. Mercers Court is on a four-timer but raised in class and up another 8lb. BORIC gets the nod given he won last year’s Highland National and there was plenty to like about his reappearance behind Belmount at Perth.
Henri Parry Morgan 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, lost place 12th, brief rally on outside before 5 out, soon beaten, 10th of 13, 24 1/4l behind Kings Lad (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Easy Street (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway on outside after 11th, chased winner after 2 out, ridden before last, swished tail, edged left and held flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Monbeg Legend (11-12) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Red Giant (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders to 7th, mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never able challenge, mistake 2 out, 5th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Laurium (11-11) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, ridden before 2 out, headed between last 2, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dreamsoftheatre (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway 3 out, every chance when mistake last, not clear run and switched left flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Mighty Leader (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Mercers Court (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leader after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, shaken up to lead last, reminder flat, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Kilfinichen Bay (11-0) by 9l, 5 ran.
Boric 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders on inside, 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd and stayed on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Belmount (12-0) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
