took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
behind, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on, no impression
mid-division, struggling after 6th
prominent, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, soon eased
towards rear, headway on outside 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened between last 2
chased leaders until ridden and weakened 5th
chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, weakened after 5th
always prominent, led approaching 2 out, comfortably
ridden approaching 5th, always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten
never better than mid-division
mid-division, headway after 5th, chased winner 2 out until approaching last, weakened flat
jumped right 2nd, always in rear
in rear, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never nearer
Holiday Cocktail wasn't beaten far last time and he looks to have really solid claims here, Harry's Lane and Sonic Anthem are the main dangers. The selection has only had four outings over hurdles and he was staying-on well at the finish last time at Hereford when second behind Gallant Hero. He is sure to be ridden more prominently here and he should prove tough to beat. Harry's Lane ran his best race yet over hurdles over this course and distance last time, but that was on heavy ground and this quicker surface may not be ideal. Sonic Anthem is a course and distance winner but he has been a bit disappointing of late and he is hard to fancy on what he has shown in his last few outings. David Pipe sends Brousse En Feux to post and he has to be respected, but for the winner we will stick with Holiday Cocktail.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 17-2 (10-13) Led, clear 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 27l behind Sun King (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Hollow Ranger (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Soon mid-division, closer in 5th before 4 out, 4th approaching 3 out, soon no extra under pressure, 9th of 14, 36l behind The Black Mouse (10-13) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Aug.
William John 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 13, 30l behind Scutch Mill (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Secret's Out 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 12, 12l behind City Affair (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Beautiful Night (FR) 15-2 (11-3) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Alina Rheinberg (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
Laconicos (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Behind, headway 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 4th of 12, 4l behind Artic Bliss (10-5) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Brousse En Feux (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Led to after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 12, well behind Brinkmanship (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Little Shilling (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Behind, mistake 5th, soon pushed along, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Mendo (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Mossmann Gorge 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden when mistake 5th, weakened next, 14th of 16, well behind Gallant Hero (11-10) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Holiday Cocktail 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on near finish, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Gallant Hero (11-10) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Star of The Desert (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 25l behind Zacharova (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in May.
Sunbolt (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Jumped right 1st, never a factor, 12th of 16, well behind Gallant Hero (11-10) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Harry's Lane 14-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden and stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Morning Roses (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jul.
Oncle Bul (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 11, 25l behind Wise Owl (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Loriko d'Airy (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and behind from 5th, pulled up 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Beauchamp Star (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Mouseen (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 16, 11l behind Gallant Hero (11-10) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
