held up, tracked leaders 4 out, challenged on bit after last, shaken up to lead towards finish
held up in rear and keen, weakened 4 out
led to 2nd, remained close up, led again approaching 6th, ridden and headed flat soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders 6th, chased leader approaching 3 out, led flat, headed towards finish
mistake 6th, pushed along and weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
led 2nd, headed approaching 6th, ridden after 4 out soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, weakened from last
held up, headway approaching 6th, moderate 5th approaching 3 out never dangerous
Nonrunner
Everything points to NIGHT CRU here and we will take Jonjo O'Neill's charge to outpoint Mr Robert and Dead Or Alive. Two-and-a-half miles and soft ground suits the J P McManus-owned selection, who took a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter over a similar trip last time. Best off at the weights when compared to official ratings, he has a few pounds in hand on his main rivals and that will do for us. Mr Robert is 10lbs worse off with the selection than if this were a handicap and would prefer good ground or faster, so he looks likely to have to wait for other days. Dead Or Alive is 3lbs better off for a little under a three length beating by Mr Robert when the latter won at Hexham last month, and as a course and distance winner on good to soft he looks to have a good chance of turning the tables today. Passato prefers to hear his hooves rattle and has a bit to find at the weights, so he will do well to win this, but Civil Servant should act in these conditions and if he stays this far then he might give the selection plenty to think about. Night Cru is taken to score.
Night Cru 4-6fav (11-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders when hit 8th, challenged on bit after 2 out, led after last, pushed out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Right Option (10-11) by 4l, 14 ran.
Cottonwood Falls (USA) 100-1 (10-7) Prominent, chased leaders 3rd to 6th, weakened and hit 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Super Ross (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gd.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) 10-11fav (10-5) Held up, headway 6th, close up 2 out, led approaching last, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Mr Robert (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Passato (GER) 9-2 (10-6) Held up, mistake 6th, ridden and effort 4 out, one pace approaching next, 4th of 8, 7l behind Mibleu (9-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
The Dark Horse 5-2 (11-7) Held up; led 9 til hdd 2 out; no ex, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Portway Lane (10-0) at Ideford Arch 2m 4f ptp in May.
Always Certain (USA) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and struggling after 4th, soon behind, 11th of 14, well behind Miss Phoebe (10-2) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Civil Servant 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, led 3 out, cocked jaw, tried to run out and headed last, switched left flat, no extra, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Danetime Panther (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Lupita (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up, headway to track leaders 4 out, hampered bend soon after and saddle slipped, soon pulled up, in a race won by Sparkling Montjeu (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May, 7 ran.
Mr Robert (IRE) 15-2 (12-4) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 23l behind Intersky Music (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf.
Grenoli (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Ran out, held up in rear, headway after 9th, disputing close 4th when ran out through wing 3 out, in a race won by Converti (10-7) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
