in touch, ridden and mistake 5th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon led, hit last, stayed on well
with leader, led 4 out, headed approaching next, hung left from 2 out, one pace
in touch, chased winner approaching last, stayed on
in rear, struggling from 3rd, tailed off
well behind from 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, blundered 2 out
Silk Drum created a favourable impression when making a winning hurdling debut at Kelso earlier this month and Howard Johnson's gelding has to be considered in a decent juvenile contest but it is difficult to evaluate the worth of that Kelso race and it may be worth giving another chance to RUFF DIAMOND, who gets the vote with Resounding Glory rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was a shade disappointing in a better race than this at Cheltenham last time but had earlier won well at Bangor and Newton Abbot and on the balance of his form Alan King's gelding looks the one to be on. As well as Silk Drum, Howard Johnson also saddles Don't Stop Me Now and she could be of interest on her hurdling debut but Denis O'Regan is on the Kelso winner. Tim Walford's Sedgefield winner Gulf Coast has run on the flat since that success and has to be considered but this is tougher for him and of more interest may be Richard Fahey's Ludlow winner Resounding Glory, who suggested that he would be all the better for what was his first run over hurdles. Ruff Diamond has every chance on the balance of his form though and he gets the verdict to resume winning ways. (Nick Millard)
Gulf Coast 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, led last, all out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Harrison's Star (10-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Resounding Glory (USA) 5-2 (10-12) Wandering at hurdles, led, pressed approaching 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, regained lead flat, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd beating Balzaccio (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 7-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, pushed along 5th, beaten approaching last, 5th of 12, 8l behind Simarian (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd.
Silk Drum (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Held up, hit 4th, smooth headway to lead before last, shaken up and drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd beating Rivington Pike (10-12) by 19l, 11 ran.
Agglestone Rock 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden and outpaced from next, 6th of 11, well behind Silk Drum (10-9) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Premier Class (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, effort approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 15, 42l behind Ostinata (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Don't Stop Me Now (IRE) 5-2 (8-7) Chased leader, led 9f out, driven 2f out, kept on gamely, won at Great Leighs 1m 6f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Jul beating Kritzia (8-7) by 4l, 6 ran (Flat).
