held up, headway after 6th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out
led, jumped right 5th, wandered into last, headed flat, held towards finish
tracked leaders, 2nd 4th until after 7th, lost place 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in mid-division, went 2nd 9th until last, one pace flat
chased leaders, ridden before 7th, no extra 3 out
mid-division, slow 2nd, ridden after next, lost place when not fluent 6th, very laboured before pulling up before 7th
tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd when awkward next, lost place before 8th, soon behind
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, led flat, ran on well
chased leaders, 2nd after 7th until 9th, weakening when not fluent 2 out
towards rear, headway after 9th, outpaced 3 out, no extra 2 out
behind, not fluent 6th or 7th, headway 3 out, stayed on, never nearer
Balkinstown gained his only victory in 28 starts over hurdles over this course and distance last summer. He's performed well in his last two starts here so should get into contention. WESTERN STORM has never won but looked like doing so when opening up a lead over the track and trip last time but he was hauled in by Midnight Aurora, who was receiving 12lb. Richard Phillips' charge can get off the mark though Coisa Blanco has shown potential and might have gone close at Southwell but for falling. Rubys Cube stepped up to this trip here last time and produced easily her best run to date so she's respected but Robin De Broome ran poorly at Southwell after a much better effort here.
L'Attesa (IRE) 66-1 (9-8) Always behind, reminders and struggling over 4f out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Lightening Dance (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Western Storm (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, 3 lengths clear last, ridden flat, kept on same pace, headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Midnight Aurora (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Shadarpour (IRE) 50-1 (12-5) Led or disputed lead until went on after 6th, headed 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, just failed for 3rd near finish, 4th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Howlongisafoot (11-8) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Balkinstown (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Last pair, headway and plenty to do after 3 out, went 2nd and kept on run-in, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Little Windmill (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Coisa Blanco (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders when fell 3 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Burgess View (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Led until jumped slowly 1st, left in 2nd place 9th, ridden and lost 2nd after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Findusatgorcombe (10-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
The Last Melon 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced before last (normal 2 out), plugged on, 5th of 12, 13 1/2l behind Mr Fickle (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Rubys Cube 40-1 (10-4) Behind, still plenty to do 3 out, ridden and headway under pressure after next, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Outrageous Romana (10-10) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Tir Dubh (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, reminders before 6th, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Robin De Broome (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Behind, headway before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 26 1/2l behind Beautiful People (10-7) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Kilcaragh Boy (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up, some late headway, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 33l behind Magical Thomas (11-7) at Stratford 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.