chased leader, not fluent 6th, led next, ridden and joined last, soon headed, driven and kept on same pace pace run-in
never fluent, chased leading pair, not fluent 5th and 6th, 2nd soon after 3 out, challenged next, led soon after last, stayed on well run-in
held up towards rear, steady headway 8th, chased leaders 3 out, one pace in 3rd and no impression approaching last
always towards rear, reminders and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace in 4th when not fluent next
towards rear, headway and pushed along in 6th after 3 out, ridden and one pace in 5th after next, dropped to modest 6th close home
chased leading trio, reminder after 6th, outpaced when mistake 2 out, plugged on into modest 5th close home
in touch, weakened 7th, behind and struggling after 3 out
mid-division, went right 3rd, steady headway after 6th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
led until 7th, chased leader until not fluent next, chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out
awkward 2nd, always behind, tailed off 3 out
pushed along and struggling after 6th, always towards rear, tailed off
always towards rear
Hi Tide is a regular visitor here and still capable in this grade as he showed with a recent second over 2m. Pembridge was third at Newton Abbot last month after winning at Stratford. Annamult won over fences here in May but his record over the smaller obstacles leaves much to be desired and Spring Steel's recent winning run came in chases. DEFINITLY GREY was making slow but gradual progress in the spring. He has his first run since May but Richard Johnson is back on board and his stable is in decent form at present – a big run is anticipated dropped a further 2lb since his fourth in a better race at Stratford.
Spring Steel (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leader, reminder after 6th, led before 2 out, hung left under pressure and headed between last two, well held when mistake and lost 2nd at the last, hung left and weakened run-in, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Deserter (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Definitly Grey (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, led again 7th, headed before last, dropped to 4th when blundered last, ridden and weakened run-in, 4th of 10, 10l behind The Barbury Queen (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
Bitter Virtue 8-1 (11-2) Held up in 4th, closed 6th, 2nd next until not fluent 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 6, dist behind Eardisland (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
My Anchor 10-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Lily Edge (8-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Hi Tide (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Sandgate (11-8) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Pembridge 6-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway under pressure after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders before next, stayed on to take 3rd after last, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Double Court (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Arcamante (ITY) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, chased leaders when blundered 8th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Annamult (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, led before last, kept on, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in May beating Riddlestown (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Grey Messenger (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, carried left 2nd, lost place before 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Midnight Memories 33-1 (10-7) Led, headed after 6th, led 8th, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 15th of 16, dist behind Who Am I (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Benidorm 66-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 32l behind Sandgate (11-8) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Surfing The Stars (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders on inside, lost place before 3 out, weakened, last of 9, dist behind Bold Henmie (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
L'Es Fremantle (FR) 66-1 (8-7) Dwelt, raced wide mid-division, headway on outer 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Stoneboat Bill (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Sep.