held up, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway halfway, led after 3 out, hard pressed from next, ridden and kept on gamely flat
held up, headway halfway, challenged 2 out, hit last, ridden and every chance flat, held near finish
tracked leader, outpaced when hit 2 out, weakened last, lost 4th near finish
led until reluctant to race and headed after 4th, soon behind, pulled up before next
in touch, led after 4th, headed after 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place halfway, outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on well from last, never troubled leaders
always towards rear
Secret Ruby was having his first race for over 400 days when a close fourth behind Mister Sher in a similar contest at Uttoxeter recently and may well bounce so preference is for Oscar D'hyrome, who gets the vote ahead of Nod Ya Head. The last mentioned stays this trip well enough but lack of form on ground this testing has to be of concern so he may be best watched. Winning pointer Capt Jack has to be of interest on his rules debut in what appears a weak contest, while Hold The Bid would need to improve on all known evidence to take a hand in the finish. The vote then goes to Chris Grant's Oscar D'hyrome who has shown enough over this sort of trip in similar ground to suggest that a race of this nature would be well within his compass.
Capt Jack (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Held up; hdwy 14; chall app last; no ex flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Was I Right (12-0) at Eyton-On-severn 3m ptp frm.
Himalayan Trail 40-1 (11-0) Close up on outside, headway 3 out, ridden next, weakened approaching last, 7th of 13, 34l behind Willies Way (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) In touch when fell 5 out in race won by One Sniff (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Secret Ruby (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 7l behind Mister Sher (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Oscar D'hyrome (FR) 9-2 (10-5) Led to 7th, outpaced 9th, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Barfleur (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf.
Nod Ya Head 12-1 (10-0) In touch, mistake 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Silent Bay (11-6) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gf.
Risky Rhythm 50-1 (10-6) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 47l behind Rare Society (11-2) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Burn Brook 100-1 (10-4) Always behind, 8th of 12, well behind Barfleur (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf.