chased leaders, ridden when not fluent 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up well in rear, plenty to do when progress into 4th after 3 out, left 3rd last, never near to challenge
ridden after 5th, always towards rear, tailed off
towards rear, mistake 4th, behind 6th
chased leader until 2nd, mistake next, behind from 6th, tailed off
mid-division, headway when hit 4th, went 2nd after 7th, no impression after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, left clear last
mid-division, not fluent, ridden and behind 6th, tailed off, pulled up after 3 out
led until 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
ridden 2nd, always in rear, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 7th, clear after 3 out, jinked right and thought about running out when fell last, unlucky
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway aftre 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, no impression, left 2nd last
towards rear on outside, ridden 6th, tailed off
Nonrunner
DARK ENERGY gets the verdict in a competitive seller. Michael Scudamore's gelding drops in grade today and the last time he was faced with a big drop in class he was the winner of a Perth claimer just over a year ago. Tri Nations has to give weight to all of his rivals after a Uttoxeter selling success but his consistency means he is high on the shortlist, a comment that also applies to No To Trident. Irish challenger Lavally Legend needs a market check despite having something to find on official ratings and a bigger danger could be Baynes Cross and Benefit Game despite needing to bounce back to form. Nicky Nutjob is also considered after a better run at Towcester.
Tri Nations (UAE) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd 5th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, hit last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m cnd/am sll hdl (5) gd in Sep beating Sadler's Star (11-6) by nk, 7 ran.
Dark Energy 33-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway after 3 out, ridden approaching last, no impression, 5th of 13, 5l behind Lemon Silk (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Benefit Game (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leading pair, chased winner 4th, driven along after 7th, dropped to 3rd and weakened 3 out, eased when held from next, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Kilkenny All Star (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Nicky Nutjob (GER) 14-1 (10-10) Jumped left, held up in 4th, ridden after 3 out, one pace in 3rd approaching next, 3rd of 5, 11l behind A Dream Come True (10-4) at Towcester 2m clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Battle Bridge (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Led, jumped left 2nd, headed 8th, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Garton King (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f am nov hdl (4) gd.
Baynes Cross (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 18, 25l behind Chairmanforlife (11-6) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 gd.
Captain Jack Black 100-1 (9-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 10, 33l behind Dancing Maite (9-3) at Southwell 7f mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Oct '08 (flat).
Hi Wycombe (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Amuse Me (10-11) at Towcester 2m 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) gd.
Kirkum (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Behind from 3rd, reminders and struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Hadron Collider (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
No To Trident 15-8fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 6th, led 2 out, edged left run-in, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gs in Nov '08 beating Hoar Frost (10-5) by 1l, 13 ran.
Nouailhas 40-1 (10-7) Held up, took keen hold, headway 3rd, not fluent next, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 6th of 7, 38l behind Tri Nations (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd/am sll hdl (5) gd in Sep.
Highly Elaborate (IRE) 125-1 (10-4) Always in rear, pushed along before 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Miss Phoebe (11-0) at Stratford 2m mrs nov sll hdl (5) gd in May '09, 13 ran.
Lavally Legend (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off, 19th of 21, well behind Arguidos (11-0) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-102 gf.