pulled hard, prominent, chased winner approaching 6th until before 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
made all, ridden and ran on well flat, gamely
mid-division, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd, in rear when brought down on bend approaching 6th
chased winner until approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders to 5th, in rear when brought down on bend approaching 6th
held up, hit 5th, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 3rd, in touch when not much room clipped heels and fell on bend approaching 6th
held up, headway approaching 5th, every chance approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, headway on inside approaching 5th, hampered on bend approaching 6th and lost place, rallied approaching 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on
held up towards rear, mid-division when brought down on bend approaching 6th
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be The Abbots Habit, Basic Fact and Gold Gun and the narrow vote is given to Gold Gun. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Shanahan last time out. Granted he is rising in the weights but he again has conditions to suit and he looks a value bet in an open affair. The Abbots Habit rates the main danger as he beat Dantor last time out. He enters handicaps off what looks a handy mark and with his yard in form he should be watched in the market. Basic Fact is another that could go well on his latest second behind Guerilla. He looks sure to be suited by this longer trip and should be watched in the market. Wot Way Chief goes well fresh and has conditions to suit so he is worth a cautionary look in the market while Scots Grey returns to hurdles on a fair mark, but he is best when allowed to dominate and as he looks sure to be taken on for the lead he is opposed. With this in mind, for the winner we return to the progressive Gold Gun.
Lord Baskerville 16-1 (11-7) Raced keen, tracked winner, blundered 4th, lost place before next, no impression from 2 out, 7th of 10, 17l behind Supply And Fix (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Cream Cracker 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, plugged on, 5th of 18, 17l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Scots Grey 10-3fav (12-0) Led, hit 3 out, headed soon after and weakened, 8th of 13, 34l behind Joe Blake (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Gold Gun (USA) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, smooth headway and every chance when hit 2 out, led approaching last and driven out flat, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Aug beating Shanahan (11-6) by 3l, 7 ran.
The Abbots Habit (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Chased leaders, reminder 6th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, all out to lead post, won at Ayr 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Dantor (10-5) by a shd, 12 ran.
Nayodabayo (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 11th, soon behind, 14th of 16, 48l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf.
Basic Fact (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, every chance 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Guerilla (10-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
Orange Street 4-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 7th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, mistake last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Vivante (9-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr '06.
Wot Way Chief 9-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway halfway to track leaders, effort approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Le Briar Soul (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs in Apr.
Aldiruos (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Towards rear, lost place approaching 7th, 7th of 12, 30l behind Celticello (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jul.
Just Like That 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, moderate 7th when fell 4 out in race won by French Accordion (10-6) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 gf, 15 ran.
