held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
chased leaders, lead 9th, clear next, ridden 2 out, headed last, not quicken flat
held up, headway after 9th, ridden 3 out, led last, ran on
keen, chased leaders to 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
led to 9th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
keen, chased leaders, hit 6th and 9th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
with leader to 8th, weakened next
mid-division, lost place 7th, no danger after
Michaels Dream lines up in top form and can complete a hat-trick, with Burundi, Fiddles Music and Nightwatchman the main dangers. Michaels Dream has been totally revitalised by the application of blinkers since being sent back over hurdles, scoring at Cartmel and Bangor in recent weeks, and seems well capable of defying a six-pound rise in the weights in his current mood. He only returned to action in the summer with a couple of spins on the Flat and should continue to make up for lost time. Burundi finally got his head in front over this trip at Worcester last time but the 11-year-old has more to do now. Fiddles Music chased home the selection at Cartmel and on these terms is entitled to at least be placed again. Of the others, Nightwatchman is going the right way and might just appreciate the drop back in trip after finding Little Task too good at Stratford. Tinstre did not get the rub of the green during his last outing at Worcester and should not be overlooked entirely, but it is hard to escape the claims of Michaels Dream who can make it three on the bounce.
Navado (USA) 8-11fav (11-5) Prominent but jumped left and never fluent, ridden approaching 5th, soon beaten, 3rd of 5, 36l behind Kawagino (10-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in Jun '04.
Top Achiever (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led, ridden when headed and hit 5th, weakened quickly, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Kingkohler (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) With leader to 8th, ridden after 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs beating Murphy's Nails (10-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Burundi (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, ran on to lead close home, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gf in Aug beating Herne Bay (11-3) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Brigadier Benson (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, hit 6th, headway 7th, blundered and rider lost right iron 8th, weakened after next, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Hawthorn Prince (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Nightwatchman (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led after 2nd, hit 4th, headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Little Task (9-12) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd.
Tinstre (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until lost place 6th, rallied after 2 out, hampered, left 2nd and rider lost iron last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Mister Moussac (10-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
Fiddles Music 10-3 (10-3) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Michaels Dream (10-11) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Aug.
