mid-division, ridden 4 out, went 4th next, bumped and no impression approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, not fluent 2nd, ridden 4 out, bumped and went 4 out 2 out, no impression on leaders
jumped left, in touch in mid-division, chased winner 4 out until 2 out, one pace last
made all, hit 8th, ridden after 3 out, clear last, stayed on well
held up in last pair, not fluent 8th or 11th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked winner until 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, not fluent 11th, soon hanging right, lost place when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
After a long lay-off, it was a bit of a worry to see Nothingbutthetruth pulled up and dismounted on his reappearance at Fakenham and he's had another break since. Morning Moment is also best watched, while The Duke's Speech doesn't appear to be the force of old. Leopold is on a long losing run but Good Old Days is back on a winning mark and wasn't beaten far at Market Rasen 10 days ago. Star Of Germany usually keeps better company than this but lacks the scope of LOST GLORY, who looked a natural over fences when beating the more experienced Marodima at Southwell last month and should be capable of defying a 5lb higher mark.
Star of Germany (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, led after 1st until 4th, hit 8th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Trooper Clarence (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Nothingbutthetruth (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) In rear, blundered
Lost Glory (NZ) 7-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, headway to go 2nd 10th, led approaching last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun beating Marodima (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Morning Moment 6-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 4th until approaching next, steadied and appeared to be hanging left from next, hit 7th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Forzy Origny (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr '10, 9 ran.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th (water) or 8th, lost touch from 10th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Tot Of The Knar (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jun.
Leopold (SLO) 12-1 (11-9) Led first, with winner when mistake and fell heavily 3rd, in a race won by Pollen Jock (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f Lady Amateur Handicap Hurdle (0-90) (4yo+) (5) gf in May, 6 ran.
Good Old Days (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden after 4 out, chased winner 2 out, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Stagecoach Amber (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.