mid-division, weakened from 11th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, held on well towards finish
held up behind, weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
in touch, weakened from 2 out
led, blundered 9th, mistake 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on and held towards finish
tracked leader, mistake 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 2 out
Very modest fayre and now that he has returned to some form perhaps HIGHBURY HIGH can prove good enough on the day. Friendly Royal is now with a yard that is putting together a good record with other trainers' cast-offs, so a market check is suggested, while Oliver's Hill and last year's winner Cooper's Friend have the ability to get involved, though it does take a leap of faith to see them winning today judged on recent efforts. Brother Scott is not totally ruled out, but he did look held by the assessor last time.
Friendly Royal (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Led, headed 6th, reminders next, pushed along 8th, weakening when pulled up 4 out, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Highbury High (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders 9th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden after next, 2 lengths down last, stayed on to challenge and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Skilled (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Oliver's Hill (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, good headway chasing leaders after 4 out, weakened quickly next, 5th of 7, 35 1/4l behind Gingili (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Muwalla 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd bypassing omitted 3 out, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression with winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Little Pop (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Cooper's Friend (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, led 11th until before next, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Brother Scott 6-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed after last, no extra last bend, weakened, 6th of 10, dist behind Shine Away (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Mahler Bay (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led, not fluent 5th, headed before 2 out, no extra and mistake last, 7th of 10, 17 3/4l behind Arboretum (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Mr Robinson (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place 12th, behind from 15th, tailed off approaching 4 out, last of 9, dist behind Silver Man (11-6) at Cartmel 3m 5f hcp (3) sft in May.
