close-up, pushed after 4 out and weakened, ridden before 3 out, well beaten when mistake 2 out
close-up, pushed before 3 out, struggling to keep tabs on leaders when ridden turning for home, plugged on
in rear, some progress before 3 out, pushed into 3rd turning for home, ridden entering home straight, kept on but lost 3rd close home
soon led, headed before 8th, nudged after 4 out, pushed after 3 out, 2nd when ridden turning for home, battled on gamely, just failed (finished 2nd, placed 1st)
towards rear, minor headway before pushed after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on strongly at finish, grabbed 3rd late on
midfield, pushed after 9th and faded, ridden before 3 out where slow, well beaten
towards rear, smooth headway before 3 out, briefly pushed after 2 out, driven to lead turning for home, ridden before last, strongly challenged, all out (finished 1st, placed 2nd)
midfield, some progress before 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, well beaten entering home straight
pressed leader, led before 8th, pushed and headed turning for home, quickly dropped away
The formbook gives Liffeydale Dreamer a strong chance of backing up an impressive victory last time. However, she's up 8lb and, more importantly, all four career successes over hurdles have come at the idiosyncratic venue that is Cartmel. She's reluctantly passed over. Sammylou has found form the last twice back from a 131-day break, remains feasibly treated and is one of the more likely ones for his in-form yard. However, he's not the only one to bounce back to winning form of late, with Ennistown and DEFI D'OUDAIRIES in that particular category. The latter was notably impressive at Newton Abbot and David Pipe is clearly eager to strike while the iron is hot. Check Imperial Knight on his return from over 300 days off in the market. He's a threat if ready to roll after his absence.
Sizing Cusimano 12-1 (10-12) Chased leader, hampered by loose horse 9th, lost 2nd 13th, weakened 16th, pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Imperial Knight (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Led and pressed, in command before 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Sep beating Zulu Dawn (10-12) by 15l, 3 ran.
Sammylou (IRE) 11-1 (11-13) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, led last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating For Jim (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Liffeydale Dreamer (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Made all, clear after 1st, shaken up before last, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Benito (10-9) by 12l, 6 ran.
Ennistown 10-1 (10-12) Chased leader until 7th, slow 9th, challenged 3 out, led after next, soon kicked clear, reduced lead last, held on well, won at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Hillview (12-2) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Delight Of Dubai (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Midfield, pushed along 10th, headway to chase leading pair 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 21 1/2l behind D'jango (10-9) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Defi D'Oudairies (FR) 6-1 (11-4) In rear, headway after 15th, led 16th, went clear with one other 4 out, ridden before 2 out and forged away, stayed on strongly, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Jony Max (11-5) by 8 1/2l, 5 ran.
Lord Getaway (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Prominent, hampered and bad mistake when fell 2 out, at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led, pushed along after 2 out, headed last and soon ridden, ran on same pace, 3rd of 6, 6 3/4l behind Bintheredonethat (10-8) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jun.