chased leader, led after 2nd, not fluent and headed 3 out, beaten when left 3rd approaching 2 out, mistake last, took 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
led until after 2nd, chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed when switched right approaching 2 out, soon beaten, mistake last, lost 2nd final strides
took keen hold, always well in rear, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 9th
mid-division, headway 8th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear
pulled hard, in touch, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
prominent, reminders after 7th, weakening when mistake 8th, tailed off
took keen hold, mid-division, not fluent 5th, no chance from 8th, tailed off
held up well in rear, reminder after 7th, no chance from next, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 8th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
in touch early, mid-division, weakened 8th, tailed off
prominent, jumped left 8th, mistake 9th, soon ridden, close 3rd when hampered and brought down approaching 2 out
held up well in rear, some headway after 3 out, not on terms, left 4th approaching 2 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, not on terms, never dangerous
took keen hold, in touch, not fluent 7th, bumped 8th, mistake next, weakened 3 out
Nigel Twiston-Davies has his horses in good form and DIABLO is taken to oblige at the main expense of Fresh Air And Fun and Answer Me. The selection showed a gutsy attitude when winning at Uttoxeter back in May when he held the late challenge of Rhinestone Ruby having made all of the running. Now tackling hurdles for the first time, this former winning point-to-pointer is fancied to take this before going on to better things. Foxhill is another recruit from that scene, whilst of more interest may be Foxriver who looked useless when pointing but must be respected for up and coming trainer Tim Vaughan, especially if the market speaks in his favour. Fresh Air And Fun has plenty of experience on his side but he really should have won a race by now, Petroglyph and Seyaadi need to improve on recent run, whilst Overdante can only learn and improve on his fair debut fourth. A good opportunity for Diablo to get off the mark over hurdles.
Answer Me (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Prince Vector (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Aug.
Diablo (IRE) 15-8jt-fav (11-9) Made all, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in May beating Rhinestone Ruby (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Foxhill 14-1 (12-0) Held up; gd hdwy 14; no ex 2 out, 4th of 14, 10l behind Steph's Dream (11-0) at Upcott Cross 3m ptp gd in May.
Fresh Air And Fun (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent, headway 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon every chance, wandered under strong pressure between last 2, not quicken flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind John Fenton (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Pittyless (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened after 5th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Sergheyev (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gd in Aug, 9 ran.
Quick Draw McGraw 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened over 5f out, 8th of 16, 40l behind Bathwick Quest (9-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Aug.
Seyaadi 20-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Maslak (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd.
Centenary (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up, soon well behind, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Proper (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
King Of Redfield (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Towards rear, some headway to moderate 9th before 3 out, ridden and no impression, 9th of 14, 22l behind Quartino (11-12) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hdl gd in Aug.
Petroglyph 50-1 (10-11) Always behind, ridden 4th, soon tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Maslak (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd.
Foxriver (IRE) (12-0) 4th of 12, 17l behind Bungar Belle (12-0) at Limavady 3m ire ptp gs in Mar '07.
Overdante 33-1 (10-3) Pulled hard towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 11, 9l behind Cresswell Ruby (10-3) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Aug.
Last Flight (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Leamington Lad (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Laughing Game 66-1 (10-3) Held up in rear on outside, mistake 2nd, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 11, 23l behind Distiller (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.