chased leaders, challenged 2 out, no extra flat
mid division, weakened 2 out
towards rear, never troubled leaders
mid division, headway to challenge last, lead briefly flat, headed and no extra close home
prominent, weakened quickly 3 out
towards rear, never on terms
mid division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
always in rear
led, headed flat, re rallied to lead close home
prominent, weakened 3 out, tailed off
The market will probably let us know what to expect of the returning Grey Life and King Of Strings, though both would have a chance on their best form. Knight In Purple was raised 8lb for winning at Doncaster but should again beat the re-opposing Light The City and still isn't badly treated on his old form. Salto Chisco and the three-year-old Tortoise make their handicap debuts but we'll take a chance on STREETS OF NEWYORK (NAP). Brian Ellison's charge was in good form on the Flat over the summer and a recent spin on the all-weather should have blown away any cobwebs. He looks well treated on his form over timber last winter.
Knight In Purple 13-2 (10-10) With leader, led 3 out, shaken up and soon clear, held on towards finish, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft beating Bishop Wulstan (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Salto Chisco (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked winner, challenged 2 out, kept on and always held run-in, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Spiculas (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
A Little Bit Dusty 16-1 (11-2) Not always fluent, held up, outpaced 5th, went 4th when blundered 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 15l behind Rock On Rocky (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Streets Of Newyork 12-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, no impression, 5th of 14, 9l behind Strongpoint (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Grey Life 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led before last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jun beating Edmund (11-12) by 9l, 4 ran.
King's Realm (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, raced wide, headway 4 out, weakened next, last of 6, well behind Centasia (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Light The City (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, one pace before last, 4th of 7, 13l behind Knight In Purple (10-10) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft.
King Of Strings (IRE) 3-1 (10-4) Keen tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, hit last, kept on one pace, lost 2nd run in, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Gifted Leader (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Pertuis (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) In rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 17l behind Nautical Twilight (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft.
Special Wells 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders next, never on terms, 4th of 10, 29l behind Gone Forever (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Khelac 11-1 (10-8) Well in rear, behind when pulled up 4th, in a race won by Baraboy (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft, 6 ran.
Tortoise 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, closed after 3rd, jumped left and bumped into rival 5th, losing place when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 21l behind Cooking Fat (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd.
Benidorm 200-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, in a race won by The Grey Taylor (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov, 17 ran.