soon tracked leader, led before 2nd, headed before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, led before 4 out, clear before last
soon towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
led, headed before 2nd, tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out
Nonrunner
Newton Geronimo was probably out of his comfort zone last time at Market Rasen and has stronger claims here. Billbushay is finding his feet for new connections and was only beaten a nose last time at Newton Abbot. Cusheen Bridge, however, has been racing over fences and returns to hurdles off a higher mark. The penny has really dropped with PERFECT SUMMER this summer and she ran another fine race on the Flat at Chester 11 days ago. Ian Williams' mare can make it four on the spin over timber today, though Nikki Steel is also improving and can't be ignored.
Newton Geronimo 12-1 (11-3) Very slowly away, behind, headway into mid-division after 2nd, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Totalize (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Cusheen Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) In touch when not fluent and unseated rider 1st, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Nikki Steel (IRE) 4-5fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, clear flat, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Mr Mountain (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
Dovils Date 11-1 (9-4) Held up off the pace, ridden halfway, headway 3f out, driven to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Lady Makfi (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Bigindie (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hampered 6th, ridden 8th, headway into 4th before last (normal 2 out), no impression, 4th of 14, 30 3/4l behind Carrigkerry (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Perfect Summer (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led after 4f, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Chocala (10-0) at Chester 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Billbushay (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Led, headed before last, rallied and every chance run-in, just held post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Miss Crick (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jul.