raced keenly, led, ridden, headed between last 2, kept on same pace
behind from halfway, tailed off 3 out
close up on outside, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no impression
held up, headway 5th, ridden, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
chased leader to 7th, soon lost place, tailed off from 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon weakened
held up, driven and headway 7th, ridden to lead between last 2, stayed on well
in touch, chased leaders 7th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace when hit last
hit 4th, always behind
behind, mistake 7th, tailed off from 3 out
chased leaders on outside, lost place after 4 out, ridden, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
hit 1st, in rear, driven, some headway approaching 3 out, ridden, no impression when fell next
Nonrunner
In a wide open affair we have narrowed it down to Timbuktu, Melmount Star and You Do The Math, with the first named just getting our vote. Brian Storey's four-year-old showed vast improvement from his seasonal debut to chase home Nuzzle in a Kelso seller earlier this month. The 89 rated Named At Dinner was well beaten in third and so he gets in here on what looks a very fair mark and looks the best option. You Do The Math is making his handicap debut and doesn't look harshly treated having shown promise plenty of promise in maiden company. Melmount Star landed a maiden at Cartmel in august and with the stable starting to hit form he is expected to go close. Blue Rising is also worth considering for each-way purposes, but for the winner we will go with Timbuktu.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 6-4fav (12-2) Raced keen towards rear, headway 6th to track leaders, led 9th, headed between last two, no extra, 2nd of 11, 26l behind Imps Way (11-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hts chs (H) gf in May.
Blue Rising 7-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Nite Fox (10-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Oct.
Piraeus (NZ) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, in touch, headway 4 out, not fluent when every chance 2 out, soon led, stayed on well towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs beating Silver Sedge (11-2) by 4l, 20 ran.
Melmount Star (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 3 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (E) gd in Aug beating Shady Baron (10-13) by 2l, 9 ran.
Timbuktu 9-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Nuzzle (10-5) at Kelso 2m nov sll hdl (G) gs.
You Do The Math (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along and headway when blundered 5th, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 19, 35l behind Spring Breeze (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Villago (GER) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th and in touch, effort approaching 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 20, 12l behind Piraeus (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs.
Perfect Balance (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, chased leader 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 4th of 12, 22l behind Lyes Green (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (E) hvy.
