tracked leaders on outside, challenging when not fluent 5th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, soon beaten
led after 1st, not fluent 4th, clear when went left and not fluent last, ran on well
held up, jumped right 2nd, not fluent next, in touch 5th, shaken up briefly, went 3rd approaching last
held up, pulled hard, headway after 2nd, jumped slowly next, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
led until after 1st, chased winner, reminder after 4th, weakened after 2 out
took keen hold, held up, headway after 4th, chased winner after next, ridden and weakened after 2 out, blundered last
This looks a match between Rory Boy and Simarian and we will side with Rory Boy. The selection showed that he had benefited considerably for his initial hurdling experience when justifying odds-on favouritism at Perth, jumping with real fluency and as a horse with plenty of scope for improvement, he can land this. On a direct line through Duke Of Touraine, Simarian has the upper hand on Rory Boy however, his jumping has been a cause for concern on more than one occasion and now has something to prove as a result of his disappointment last time. It would be a major surprise if any of the remainder were to get involved although Never Catcher should be capable of more than what he has displayed up to now. Roly Boy is taken to overcome the challenge of Simarien.
Rory Boy (USA) 10-11fav (10-12) Held up, smooth headway 3 out, led before next, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Elbistan (10-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Simarian (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Prominent, jumped slowly and reminder 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Duke of Touraine (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Crimson Mitre 33-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 4f out, eased final 2f, 12th of 15, well behind Tasheba (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun (Flat).
Persistent (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hit 4th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 20l behind Duke of Touraine (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Robbmaa (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off 6th, 13th of 16, well behind Duke of Touraine (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
Never Catcher (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Duke of Touraine (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Ostinata (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) In rear, jumped right, mistake and reminders 3rd, no chance after 5th, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Duke of Touraine (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
