held up in mid-division and keen, effort approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
led, hit 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, reminders after 3rd, lost place 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, kept on well
prominent, ridden after 4 out, chasing leaders when fell 2 out
FIRST BAY ran on the flat in a maiden and a couple of claimers over the past few months, finishing behind a couple on each occasion, and while that looks moderate enough it will all have been in preparation for a campaign over the sticks. The bookies will probably take few chances with the Howard Johnson inmate, given that the stable are red hot at present, and a winning debut is anticipated. Debutant Trumpstoo is rated 63 on the flat and unproven on fast ground, so has a bit to find today, while Miss Gibboa is around a stone inferior to that on the level, though she stayed on well enough when third at Market Rasen in a similar race last time. Monsieur Jourdain was another beaten favourite last time, and despite being unproven on fast ground he has a very solid profile here and can go well for Tim Easterby. Avitus acts on fast ground and stays 10f on the flat, so there are a couple of positives, though he was well beaten on his hurdles debut at Kelso. Little else appeals and First Bay is preferred today.
Avitus 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch before 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression, 4th of 15, 11l behind Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
First Bay (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Admiral Dundas (9-5) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm stks (4) gd in Sep (flat).
K'Gari (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, 14th of 15, well behind Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Monsieur Jourdain (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd between last 2, ridden flat, kept on, always held, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Richo 4-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 8l behind Marsool (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Shropshire Gold Polish Precedent gelding out of Wou Oodd.
Tae Kwon Do (USA) 14-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, help up in rear, headway on inner over 3f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, last of 8, 8l behind Veiled (9-7) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep (flat).
Trumpstoo (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Twist Again (9-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep (flat).
Miss Gibboa (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Dollar Express (USA) 28-1 (10-12) Held up behind, not fluent 4th, weakened from last, last of 6, well behind Strikemaster (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Aug.