mid-division, not fluent 1st, mistake and hampered 6th, struggling 10th, behind when mistake 12th, pulled up before 4 out
soon towards rear, not always fluent, well behind from 11th
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, hampered and unseated rider 6th
prominent, lost place 10th, outpaced 12th, rallied from 2 out, no impression on winner towards finish
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 11th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division on outside, headway 11th, led last, stayed on well
prominent, led before 5th, headed 7th, edged left after 4 out, 4th and fading last
led until before 5th, led again 7th, headed last, 3rd and no extra close home
fell 1st
prominent, not fluent 1st, fell 6th
held up in rear, hampered 6th, headway after 12th, weakened 2 out
The Queen’s Forth Bridge has yet to win over fences but has been placed four times and deserves a change of luck. Similar comments apply to Another Stowaway but Dieg Man made a winning start over the larger obstacles at Cartmel in August and Contented did likewise at Worcester last month. Lord Du Mesnil, another five-year-old, is a French import who could be well treated while Ballyarthur has the edge in experience over most of these, though is probably a few pounds high returning from a break. JUST A STING didn’t win over hurdles but ran some solid races in defeat and could thrive over fences being a half-brother to a winning chaser. Run To Milan also warrants a mention and Station Master is another to consider.
Ballyarthur (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 4th and 5th, headway 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 30 1/2l behind Beggar's Wishes (10-13) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
Dieg Man (FR) 11-8 (11-4) Close up in 3rd on outside, left 2nd 2 out, poised to challenge after last, pushed into lead inside final furlong, kept on, always doing enough, won at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Aug beating Fair Exchange (11-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
Run To Milan (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked winner, one pace and no impression from before 2 out, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Captain Cattistock (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) hvy in Mar.
Station Master (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon lost place, 18th of 23, dist behind Monbeg Theatre (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Another Stowaway (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Jumped left on occasions, led, clear after 7th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before last, outpaced run-in, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Amour de Nuit (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f (3) gd in May.
Contented (IRE) 14-1 (12-2) Tracked leaders, effort after 4 out, soon challenged, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Hillary View (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Just A Sting (IRE) 9-2fav (11-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, closer in mid-division on outside after 4th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Kildisart (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Forth Bridge 11-2 (11-6) Led, not fluent 13th, mistake next, jumped left 2 out, headed flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mighty Leader (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Dashing Perk 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Move To The Groove (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 37 1/4l behind Double W's (11-4) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) (11-2) 3rd of 9, 3l behind Punch Nantais (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Apr.
Pop Rockstar (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) In touch, headway 9th to chase leader going well, weakened quickly on long run to last, last of 6, 33 1/2l behind Tambura (11-9) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
