tracked leaders, not fluent and went 2nd 11th, close up when left in lead 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
jumped right, led, narrow advantage when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
in rear, soon cajoled along, always behind, tailed off
mostly tracked leader until 11th, mistake next, soon lost ground on leaders, stayed on from 3 out to take 3rd last, no chance with front pair
held up towards rear, mistake 12th, stayed on from 3 out and pressed for 3rd from last, no chance with front pair
prominent, took keen hold, mistake 3 out, blundered 2 out, weakening when jumped right and pecked last
jumped right, held up in rear, headway 12th, close up when left 2nd 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on flat, held by winner
Brightwell has a good record in points but has not been seen for more than a thousand days. It is worth noting any market support but is probably best watched after that long absence. Night Orbit has decent jumping ability but has lacked the stamina to compete, whilst Indian Pipe Dream should handle the trip but is inconsistent. Triggerman has performed creditably in hurdles races including two wins and should run well between the fences on chasing debut but we will take him on with DUNKELLY CASTLE. Hadden Frost retains the ride and the trip today looks ideal for the Roger Curtis trained gelding after a solid effort at Hereford over fences last time. He gets the vote.
Balthazar King (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway in 9th 4 out, 7th 2 out, ridden into 5th last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 6th of 25, 12l behind Prince Rudi (10-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 88-130 gd in Apr.
Brightwell 5-2 (12-0) Held up; lft 2nd 14; led flat; rdn out, won at Cottenham 3m ptp in Dec '07 beating Anshanjack (12-0) by 3l, 4 ran.
Indian Pipe Dream (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Always last, mistake 7th, lost touch from 14th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Hell's Bay (10-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Aug.
Night Orbit 7-2 (11-0) Chased leader, lost 2nd 5th, last and not fluent next, soon ridden and lost ground on front trio, lost touch when left 3rd 11th, 3rd of 4, well behind Walamo (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
No Reception (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) In rear, reminder and struggling from 8th, soon tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Old Brigade (11-1) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jul, 6 ran.
Priors Glen (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 5th of 17, 46l behind Shoegazer (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Triggerman 5-1fav (11-7) Held up behind, blundered 6th, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 14, 16l behind Picture This (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Dunkelly Castle (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, jumped left 8th, lost 2nd approaching 11th, 2nd again 13th until not fluent 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Local Present (11-9) at Hereford 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.