held up last, pulled hard and rapid headway to lead approaching 3rd, jumped badly left and headed 3rd, led briefly approaching 4th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up last, headway on bit to chase leader 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
chased leader, hit 1st, led after 3rd to 4th, led after 4th, shaken up an quickened approaching 2 out, pushed clear flat, comfortably
led, hit 1st, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
pulled early and held up in touch, ridden and chased leader approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out and last, not quicken
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake last
held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when mistake last
Palace Walk can put one over on The Castilian, with Spence Appeal and Atacama Star best of the rest. The Castilian will no doubt be a popular choice here after three efforts over hurdles at Newton Abbot so far, but on each occasion he has looked far from happy with the game, and indeed went out like a light when the chips were down at the end of August. The ex-French Flat winner may come good in time, but he is worth taking on again here with Palace Walk. One of two Brendan Powell-trained runners, Graham Lee's mount is certainly well-bred, being a son of Sinndar out of a Sadler's Wells mare, but did not show much in five outings on the level, the last of which was in February. However, he has now had two outings over timber at Fontwell to get the hang of things at the winter game, and may improve enough to topple Pipe's charge. Stablemate Atacama Star raced much too keenly on his hurdles bow at Plumpton, and at one stage was 15 lengths clear. He was fancied that day and it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in his favour again. Spence Appeal improved a little bit at Huntingdon last time but makes less appeal, and for the winner we return to Palace Walk.
Atacama Star 5-2fav (10-12) Led at fast pace, jumped slowly 4th and 7th, headed after 3 out, tired when mistake last, 6th of 12, 26l behind Toss The Caber (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gf in Sept.
Ghaill Force 100-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, left 2nd after 5th, hit 6th, weakened next, 7th of 12, 31l behind Toss The Caber (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gf in Sept.
Palace Walk (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden, switched right and headway after 6th, stayed on well from 2 out, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Trigger Guard (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (F) gd.
Spence Appeal (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Led soon after 3rd, headed approaching 5th, still every chance approaching last, one pace, 5th of 17, 3l behind Dishdasha (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
The Castilian (FR) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, chased leaders after 2nd, led after 4th, ridden, headed and soon beaten after 3 out, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Gortumblo (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Top Pursuit 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, weakened after next, 6th of 10, well behind Etoile Russe (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Sept.
Dizzy Lizzy 12-1 (8-8) In touch, lost place 4f out, soon tailed off, last of 13, well behind Rem Time (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (7) pol in Sept (Flat).
Bainoona 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, no impression, 11th of 15, well behind Trigger Guard (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (F) gd.
