prominent, ridden 9th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up and jumped right, headway after 9th, ridden after next, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 9th, led and jumped right 2 out, ridden out
mid-division, hit 8th, ridden after next, weakened 10th
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, chased winner last, no extra towards finish
in touch, ridden 8th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden approaching 4 out, 3rd and 2 lengths down when fell 3 out
led, ridden 4 out, headed and mistake 2 out, stayed on towards finish
behind, headway approaching 10th, ridden when left 4th and hampered 3 out, kept on one pace
behind from 4th
prominent to 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
Leading contenders in the opener are Lady Lambrini, Mantilla, Take The Oath and Bell Rock with the vote going to Mantilla. Ian Williams always does well this time of year and Mantilla put a poor run behind him to finish an eye catching third behind Keltic Lord at Stratford last time out. He looked as though he may be coming back to his best and is worth noting in the market. Lady Lambrini seems to finish second more often than not and it may be that he will find one or two to beat him again. Take The Oath did win at Huntingdon early last month and has been kept busy since and it looks as though the handicapper may have the upper hand for now. Hunter chase winner Bell Rock has enough weight to carry on his handicap come back and is best watched for the time being. So for the winner we return to Mantilla.
Mantilla 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 14, 28l behind Keltic Lord (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
Bell Rock 7-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 10th, chased leaders 3 out, led going well 2 out, drew clear before last, comfortably, won at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (H) gf in May beating Machrihanish (11-7) by 5l, 13 ran.
Monty Be Quick 22-1 (10-1) Mid-division, stumbled badly after 9th, soon behind, 7th of 14, well behind Keltic Lord (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
York Rite (AUS) 4-1 (10-0) Held up, slipped on bend after 4th, pushed along approaching 9th, never dangerous, 8th of 12, well behind Goodbadindiferent (9-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Take The Oath (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, no extra flat, 4th of 13, 5l behind College City (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
Lady Lambrini 15-2 (9-10) Chased leader, led 4th, hit 4 out, headed 3 out, kept on to go 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Optimistic Harry (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs.
Pristeen Spy 7-1 (10-0) Chased winner, hit 1st, jumped left 2nd, hit 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Lonesome Man (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Jun, 7 ran.
Dante's Battle (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Behind, mistake 8th, headway 12th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 9l behind Good Heart (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd.
