mid-division, jumped right 1st, towards rear 4th, not fluent next, well beaten 3 out
not jump well, tracked leaders, close up 3 out, no impression on winner last
held up, headway 5th, led after 3 out, clear flat, stayed on well
towards rear, mistakes, weakened before 3 out, soon pulled up
in rear, mistake 1st, well beaten 3 out
mistake and unseated rider 1st
led until after 1st, chased leader, mistake 4th, not fluent next, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened before last
prominent, led after 1st, headed 3 out, weakened before mistake 2 out
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 1st, mistake 6th, struggling after next, mistake 3 out, pulled up before last
Royal Ruby has been racing in handicaps since a second in a maiden at Plumpton in February. He was still beaten more than 18 lengths when third at Worcester last time while blinkers failed to inspire Swashbuckle at Bangor last time and he has also become expensive to follow. COTTON CLUB, a winning stayer on the Flat, made a satisfactory start over hurdles here last month. He’ll strip fitter here so looks the one to be on though Black Prince, who also won over 2m on the level, was second on his hurdling debut at Wincanton back in October and looks to have a future.
Auld Sod (IRE) 12-1 (12-2) Alw pr, 3rd 5out, 5th 3out, ko bef last, 4th of 13, 13l behind Morraman (12-2) at Necarne 3m mdn gs in May.
Cotton Club (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) In touch, chased front pair after 4 out, went 2nd briefly approaching next, soon outpaced, no impression with front pair before last, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Holryale (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Drovers Lane (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, mistake and lost place 7th, jumped right next, well beaten after 4 out, left remote 4th before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind Orchard Thieves (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) sft in May.
It's Grand (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced after omitted 3 out, well beaten before next, 6th of 7, dist behind Je Suis Charlie (10-9) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Pandinus Imperator (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 7th, well beaten 3 out, 7th of 12, dist behind Canelo (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Apr.
Reaplee 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out, pulled up, at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Royal Ruby 11-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 12, 14 1/2l behind Alcock And Brown (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Swashbuckle 5-2jfav (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, one pace and beaten from 2 out, not fluent last, 4th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Fort Jefferson (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in May.
Black Prince (FR) 5-2fav (9-0) Prominent, every chance 2f out unable to quicken inside final furlong (promoted to 4th), 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Aumerle (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
