in rear, mistakes, headway after 5th, challenged 2 out, every chance approaching last, soon no impression on winner, one pace
led, hit 4th, headed when not fluent next, weakened after 2 out
prominent, took keen hold, lost place when jumped right 3rd, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 5th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
prominent, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace
tracked leaders, took keen hold, switched left approaching last, soon led, ran on well to draw clear flat
prominent, took keen hold, went 2nd 3rd, led 5th, headed appropaching 2 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
GOAT CASTLE did not disgrace himself in a similar event last month at Worcester and he can gain compensation. Despite receiving a rather spiteful 4lb rise for his labours, he seems much more consistent since the application of a tongue strap. Blackstone Vegas has a rather agricultural technique though he gets to reoppose Aughcarra at better terms than when they met over course-and-distance previously. Mucho Loco returns from a sizeable absence though the handicapper has dropped him significantly since his last visit to the track. Stravita is exposed as plating class though this race is little better than that. Cloonavery has something to prove after disappointing last time out.
Goat Castle (IRE) 11-4fav (10-4) Prominent, not fluent 2nd or 4th, challenged 3 out, mistake 2 out, ran on flat, always being held, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Crystal Rock (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Mulaazem 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Royal Flynn (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Aughcarra (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 6th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep beating Blackstone Vegas (11-1) by nk, 11 ran.
Stravita 13-2 (10-5) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway after 6th, ridden when stumbled 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Ajman (10-9) at Ludlow 2m cond sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Cloonavery (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, not much room when mistake 3 out, lost momentum, closed approaching last, no impression, 4th of 11, 5l behind Aughcarra (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Simone Martini (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 7th, 9th of 10, well behind Calon Crwbin (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Always Baileys (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Mistake 1st, soon well behind, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Royal Flynn (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Blackstone Vegas 9-1 (11-1) Held up, not fluent 1st or 2nd, headway 5th, challenged after 3 out, soon involved in bumping match with rival, led last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Aughcarra (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Mucho Loco (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling towards rear before 3 out, never in contention, 8th of 15, 9l behind Quiditch D'ouxy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr '09.
Bari Bay 11-1 (11-1) In rear on outside, not fluent 2nd or 4th, effort 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Chestnut Ben (9-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Sep.