led until after 4th, ridden before 7th, weakened approaching next, tailed off and pulled up aftre 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway 7th, led 2 out, drew clear approaching last
prominent, led after 7th, headed when not flient 3 out, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 6th, soon struggling, well behind next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, led approaching 2 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, weakened last
held up in rear, behind from 7th
prominent, raced keenly, led after 4th, jumped right 5th, headed after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway 7th, weakened flat
in rear, ridden when not fluent 5th, well behind when pulled up before 8th
in rear, ridden after 6, headway under pressure when not fluent 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
in touch, weakened after 7th, tailed when pulled up before 3 out
WILLIES WAY is taken to land the finale although support for Noble Minstrel would be a concern; others to bear in mind are Darksideofthemoon and Graze On And On. The selection has been running consistently well this summer and is still well enough weighted. The drop back in trip proved his undoing at Newton Abbot last time but this distance will play to his strengths and he should be in the mix. Graze On And On has a little to prove after a couple of lacklustre efforts on her last two starts but is more than capable of taking a hand in the finish as is Noble Minstrel who represents a shrewd yard that is capable of readying one after an absence. Nigwell Forbees showed his first signs of form over a longer trip at Perth and may be able to build on that whilst Darksideofthemoon has always had ability and is having his first run for a yard that has done well with their acquisitions. He's wearing headgear for the first time and would be of keen interest if attracting support but we'll side with Willies Way for the time being.
Hot Zone (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, soon tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, 45l behind Dirar (11-4) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Noble Minstrel 5-4fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, led going well approaching 2 out, soon headed, ran on flat, 2nd of 12, hd behind Don't Be Bleu (11-7) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun '08.
Willies Way 7-4fav (10-7) Held up in mid-division, headway to track winner going well 3 out, looked dangerous approaching 2 out, one length down and driven before last, no impression from last, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Crazy Eyes (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
The Black Lion (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, always in rear, brought down 3 out, in a race won by Humbel Ben (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul, 10 ran.
Black Mogul 6-1 (11-4) Close up, chased leading pair under pressure after 3 out, weakened and blundered last 2, 4th of 10, 40l behind Bubbs (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f sell hdl (5) sft.
Thehonourablelady 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, soon lost place, hit 8th, headway but still modest 8th 3 out, not fluent 2 out, never reached leaders, 5th of 17, 11l behind Willies Way (11-10) at Bangor 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jul.
Graze On And On 5-2fav (11-1) Tracked leaders and keen, outpaced when hampered after 6th, no danger after, 10th of 11, 31l behind Mr Midaz (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Lahib The Fifth (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, pushed along approaching 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Guerilla (9-12) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jul.
Glengap (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In touch, raced keenly, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Danish Monarch (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jul.
Nigwell Forbees (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Wotchalike (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jul.
Artist's Return (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Chased leader, hit 4th, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bob 'n' You (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May, 15 ran.
Brave Bugsy (IRE) 15-8fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 12, well behind Thirtythreeblack (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jul.
Now Then Sid 10-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 10, 24l behind Morenito (11-10) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp 0-90 (5) gf in Jul.
Darksideofthemoon (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 18, well behind Dover's Hill (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
