in rear, pushed along after 4th, jumped right 6th, soon lost touch
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, led approaching 2 out where mistake, headed before last, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, ran on
prominent, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and lost place approaching 5th, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd or 4th, pulled up approaching 6th
in touch, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, lost place approaching 3rd, not fluent 5th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 5th, went 3rd when not fluent 2 out, one pace
led until after 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 4th when not fluent 2 out, no impression
This is quite competitive for the money and we will take a chance on SONIC ANTHEM at a price. John Mackie's runners are in form and his record with the few he sends here is good, including a course and distance win by this gelding a couple of years ago. There is slight concern over the ground but he goes well when fresh and has slipped to an attractive mark. Nether Stream is 5lbs higher than his recent course and distance win and goes on good to firm so is feared, while January has a tough task at the weights now switched back to hurdles. Welcome Stranger goes on the ground and has frame claims, though Exulto looks in the grip of the assessor and Sonic Anthem can call the tune.
Bathwick Man 14-1 (10-13) Led until approaching 2nd, with leader, led before 7th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Working Title (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Exulto (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Took keen hold, bumped 1st, mid-division in well strung out field after, hampered 5th, headway after 3 out, disputing 2nd when dived at 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 16l behind Boogie Dancer (10-8) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Aug.
January 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 9th, challenged 2 out, led before last, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind In The Zone (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Olivino (GER) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner last, no impression and edged left flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Kijivu (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Rocklandslad (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place when mistake 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Miss Franklin (10-7) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Led until 1st, prominent, ridden and lost place 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Front Rank (9-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug, 9 ran.
Nether Stream (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway on inside after 2 out, challenged last, led flat, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf beating Oddshoes (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mister Right (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, jumped slowly 5th and 6th, soon driven along, jumped right 3 out, no headway, hung right after last, 7th of 9, 13l behind Golden Square (10-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct '07.
Feeling (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led to 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 5th of 6, 37l behind Golden Globe (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy in Nov.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leader after 1st until 5th, weakened after next, 4th of 8, 32l behind Letham Island (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf in Jun.
Welcome Stranger 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, ran on flat, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Emirates World (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
