took keen hold, prominent until weakened after 3 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up, headway and hung left from 2 out, stayed on
chased leader, led after 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, led last, idled briefly flat, ran on
took keen hold, led, quickened after 5th, headed after next, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway 7th, led after 3 out, hit 2 out, headed last, kept on
Dusky Lord can get the better of Caraman, with Star Shot, Take A Mile and Mohawk Star all likely to get involved. Dusky Lord failed to give weight away all round in a novices' hurdle at Fakenham in February and has not been seen since. There could well have been something amiss with Nick Gifford's charge that day as he had looked a most progressive sort earlier when scoring at Plumpton and Fontwell, and as he normally goes well fresh, is taken to bounce back here. Caraman gained a fluent victory at Bangor last week, and as he had the speed to win over 12 furlongs on the all-weather in January, can prove to be the main danger. Star Shot came late to score at Uttoxeter in May and now goes handicapping. He is a progressive sort as well, but may prove to be better over further in time, while Take A Mile has it to do against older opponents but has some scope. For the winner we return to Dusky Lord.
Caraman (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Prominent and keen, led 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs beating Lawgiver (10-2) by 5l, 10 ran.
Dusky Lord 13-8 (11-13) In touch, chased winner 7th, ridden 3 out, no impression from next, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Mr Pointment (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Amour Multiple (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chases leaders, led 2 out, mistake and headed last, no extra run-in and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Pirate Flagship (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Star Shot (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, hung left approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Moon Over Miami (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-0) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 10, 15l behind Wee Dinns (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
Take A Mile (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, good progress to challenge 2 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Wee Dinns (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
Atahuelpa 20-1 (11-5) Pulled hard in rear, headway 9th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 14l behind Exstoto (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Mohawk Star (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Mid-division until lost place after 5th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd and mistake last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Wee Dinns (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
