chased leaders, weakened 3 out
in touch, not fluent 1st, weakening when not fluent 5th
led until after 2nd, led 3rd until approaching 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led soon after 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, eased flat
held up, headway 6th, went 3rd after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
raced keenly, led after 2nd, headed next, regained lead before 5th, headed soon after 3 out, no chance with winner approaching 2 out
not fluent, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard, always behind
NORDWIND looks to hold the most solid claims in a race lacking any strength in depth and he is preferred to Galley Slave. A word of warning should accompany any bet struck on the likely favourite Nordwind; he was beaten as a 1/4 favourite last time at Hereford, he only has one career win to his name over hurdles, and his official rating of 115 is probably a tad too high. Apart from that however he looks sure to win this, as the ground suits, he is well-clear on the official ratings and he is partnered by the experienced Paul Moloney this evening. If he manages to find a way to throw the race away then it may be Galley Slave who profits. He is less exposed than many and his run last time behind Silk Hall reads well, although he was beaten by nearly 40 lengths. He has almost 30lbs to find on official ratings but could be fair place material. Midnite Blews is only rated 81, although that looks positively astronomic compared to the 68-rated Go Commercial and the 70-rated Ma Burls. Autumn Charm is modest on the flat and hasn't shown any inkling that he might be better over hurdles, whilst Intavac Boy looks to have been well-placed for his hurdling bow and could easily run into a place. This looks a straight-forward chance for Nordwind to get back to winning ways.
Go Commercial (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Mid-division, reminders 4 out, outpaced when mistake next, no danger after, 8th of 13, 31l behind Woody Valentine (11-4) at Catterick 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Intavac Boy 16-1 (8-6) Led, headed after 2f, remained in touch, effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Fistral (8-4) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jul (flat).
Musical Weld 250-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Nikos Extra (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep, 13 ran.
Nordwind (IRE) 1-4fav (10-11) Held up, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, ridden and hung left under pressure soon after and one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Pilgrims Lane (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Galley Slave (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Whipped round as tape went, led, soon clear, mistake and headed 6th, soon weakened, hit 3 out, 5th of 9, 39l behind Silk Hall (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Midnite Blews (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Towards rear, saddle slipped and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Doeslessthanme (11-13) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Little Squirrell (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, terrible mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Villochely (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Ma Burls 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to 3rd, behind from next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Know The Law (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Autumn Charm 100-1 (9-11) Pulled hard, always behind, hit 7th, tailed off and mistake 9th, 9th of 12, well behind Key Cutter (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
