tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair before last
made most, joined 2 out, ridden after last, rallied when headed narrowly flat, regained lead post
with winner to before 3rd, in touch, lost place before 4 out, soon ridden, never able to get back on terms, behind from next
held up in last pair, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression before 2 out
held up in last pair, struggling after 4 out, never involved
held up mid-division, reminder after 4th, lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders to after 2nd, held up mid-division, headway 4 out, joined winner 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly flat, kept on, headed post
There are several confirmed front-runners in this and that could set things up for a finisher. Among the former group are course specialist Hallings Comet and New Millennium, successful over track and trip last time. Highland Bobby and Cyrius Moriviere also likes to race up with the pace but Excellent Team will be among those biding their time. Though a drop of rain would not have come amiss, OXWICH BAY is the best handicapped horse in the race on past efforts and the fact that he goes well fresh is an added plus. Camlad Kingfisher may still be flying a little high.
Skeaping 11-4 (11-0) Held up, fell 4th, at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
New Millennium (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Made all, jumped slightly right 1st and 2nd, clear approaching 3rd until after 5th, not fluent 3 out, driven out flat, won at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Aug beating Twasn't The Plan (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hallings Comet 5-4fav (11-5) Made all, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden before last, driven out, won at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Competition (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Highland Bobby 6-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent and headed 4th, led again narrowly after next, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Prancing Oscar (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gf in Aug.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, blundered 4 out, headway after next, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 37 1/2l behind Champagne Champ (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Cyrius Moriviere (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, led briefly 3 out, driven and lost place before next, weakened before last, 8th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Excellent Team (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Camlad Kingfisher 25-1 (10-0) Chased leader, lost place when ridden before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Outrath (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, dist behind Repetitio (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Excellent Team 4-1 (11-2) Chased winner to 4th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 5, 11 1/2l behind Hallings Comet (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
