jumped left at times, chased winner, not fluent 3 out, no impression after, well held 3rd when mistake 2 out, dropped to 4th towards finish
held up in 4th, dropped to last and well held from 3 out
made all, clear from 3 out, stayed on, ridden out
tracked leaders, not fluent, not much room 3rd, mistake 6th, switched right and well held 4th 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
behind, slow 2nd, headway before 3 out, chased winner approaching next, stayed on, no impression
Patience is wearing thin with Cartmel second Sonic and he is also most certainly flattered by a handicap mark of 118. Irish imports Express Pierre and MOUNTAIN ROCK have the scope to improve past Donald McCain’s charge. Ian Williams’ recent acquisition has won a couple of bumpers and shown good form in staying races on the Flat so gets the nod. Night Manager made a fair start over timber at Perth and can’t be ignored but it’s impossible to make a strong case for either Celtic Sally or Norm The Storm.
Mountain Rock (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders in 5th, ridden in 6th under 3f out, weakened, 12th of 13, 11 1/2l behind St Stephens Green (9-0) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in May.
Norm The Storm 50-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake and weakened 3 out, last of 5, dist behind Fair Mountain (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Sonic (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Led, ridden and joined last, headed final 50 yards, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rubenesque (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Night Manager (FR) 5-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Placedela Concorde (11-4) at Perth 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Celtic Sally (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led until over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 16 1/2l behind Georgiator (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Express Pierre (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outer, slightly hampered at 2nd, closer in 3rd at next, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no extra in 4th from 2 out, 4th of 12, 10l behind Steelambition (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f mdn gd in Jun.