with winner, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on flat
always towards rear
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on flat
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken flat
keen, mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
made virtually all, jumped left 2 out and last, driven out
behind, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, never nearer
always behind
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened after next
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened quickly 3 out
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, 5th and beaten when hit last
The shortlist contains Murphy's Nails, Honan, Reflex Blue and Hi Laurie, with the vote going to Hi Laurie. Now with Michael Scudamore, the selection won at Kilbeggan in September and then ran well from her revised mark at Listowel last time. That rates as fair form in the context of this race and she can go well. Honan is a bit in-and-out formwise, but he won at Plumpton last time and remains well-weighted based on his chasing form, while Murphy's Nails made a pleasing reappearance effort and is on a mark from which he should have a say on his overall form. And Reflex Blue won from a pound higher mark in January 2004 and, having had a recent pipe-opener, can go well. Of the others, Bronco Charlie is a lightly-raced potential Jonjo O'Neill improver, Treasure Trail is dropping in the weights and could yet build on his novice promise, Kinkeel showed some promise in Ireland but the jury is out after one British run, Double Royal's improvement last time came in a seller, and Fenney Spring has a place shout from an eight-pounds higher rating than for winning at Uttoxeter in June. Finally, we should give a mention to Spider Boy, who ran well for a long way over a longer trip last time, his first real piece of form, and is tried in cheekpieces today. However, for the selection, we will stick with Hi Laurie.
Murphy's Nails (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 6th, headed 7th, ridden to lead again 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Michaels Dream (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Sept.
Honan (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and edged left on bend after 3 out, headway soon after, kept on to lead last, won at Plumpton 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf in Sept beating Let's Celebrate (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bronco Charlie (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) In touch until weakened after 5th, 9th of 13, 19l behind Giust In Temp (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Treasure Trail 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, closer order 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 15, 10l behind Fordingbridge (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Apr.
Double Royal (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 7th, outpaced after next, stayed on flat, 4th of 15, 5l behind Euro Route (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) gf in Sept.
Young Tot (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Seafire Lad (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf in Jul.
Hi Laurie (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, 8th approaching 6 out, kept on without threatening under pressure from before 2 out, 4th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Baikal (10-11) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl 67-102 gd in Sept.
Fenney Spring 9-2 (10-12) Never in contention, 7th of 11, 27l behind Baawrah (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Aug.
