chased leaders, pushed along when not fluent 6th, jumped right and outpaced from next, weakened after 3 out
sweating, made all, drew clear from 8th, not fluent 3 out or 2 out, eased towards finish
held up in touch, headway to chase winner approaching 6th, jumped slowly and outpaced by rival from 8th
chased winner until approaching 6th, no impression in 3rd thereafter, mistake last
lost touch from 5th
There is a suspicion that CARRICKMINES may now be a shade high in the weights following his wins at Chepstow and Wincanton in the last two months but he has ground conditions to suit again and can race off the same mark as when a close third behind Noble Bily at Plumpton recently so he still looks the one to beat with the main dangers rated as Ours and Pret A Thou. The last mentioned was going well in the lead and was eight lengths clear when slipping up around the bend four out at Ludlow and the seven-year-old has to be respected following that improved effort. Richard Newland's Glimmer of Light was pulled up in his last three starts during the summer having won back-to-back races at Uttoxeter previously and again disappointed on his return here last month so he looks best watched. Neil Mulholland's Roofing Spirit was pulled up in his final two starts of last season and looks best left out of calculations with a bigger threat likely to come from Mark Rimell's Ours, who has been running well without ever really threatening the judge. The opposition does not look too strong for Carrickmines and he is taken to resume winning ways.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 14th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Terrible Tenant (10-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Pret A Thou (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Led, raced keenly, 8 lengths clear, ridden when slipped badly on bend and unseated rider approaching 4 out, in a race won by Noble Crusader (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Carrickmines (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Held up in touch, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out, in 4th and held when blundered 2 out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Noble Bily (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft.
Ours (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Prominent until weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Afistfullofpebbles (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Afistfullofpebbles (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
