led, blundered 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, weakened after 4 out
held up, hit 2nd, soon prominent, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, no impression
held up in rear, headway 5th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear
held up, weakened 5th
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway approaching 4th, weakened 3 out
A wide open contest rounds off the card but the principals look to be Etoile Russe, Charlotte Vale and Smoothly Does It and the vote is given to Etoile Russe. The selection ran a blinder in a much better race when fourth behind Overstrand last time out, granted he has risen in the weights but this looks easier and under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Charlotte Vale rates the main danger as he is dropped in class having been outclassed behind Straw Bear last time but his best form is on slightly better ground and he is taken on with this in mind. Smoothly Does It is another that could go well but he continues to rise in the weights without winning and is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder, Trust Rule looks well in on his best form and should be noted in the market but for the winner we return to Etoile Russe.
Etoile Russe (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Led until headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 17, 10l behind Overstrand (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Marsh Run 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost approaching 8th, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened next, 3rd of 7, 39l behind Only Vintage (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft.
Speed Venture 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 20, 24l behind Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Smoothly Does It 5-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden, headway after 3 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Aberdeen Park (10-5) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Trust Rule 14-1 (11-9) In touch, struggling 4 out, weakened from next, 8th of 12, 24l behind Baffling Secret (10-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Only Words (USA) 28-1 (10-4) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 35l behind Ad Murum (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Woodford Consult 50-1 (10-12) Led until 2nd, remained prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 18, 26l behind Fleetwood Forest (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Charlotte Vale 250-1 (11-0) Always behind, 8th of 9, 45l behind Straw Bear (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Nov.
