led, ridden after 9th, hung right and headed when not fluent last, hung right flat, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 7th, mistake 8th, weakened from next
tracked leader 2nd, ridden 7th, not fluent 9th, lost 2nd 2 out, every chance flat, held towards finish
tracked leader until 2nd, prominent, pushed along after 5th, driven 7th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, soon idled, driven out
fell 1st
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
NORTH ISLAND has been a model of consistency this season and is taken to land the opener at the expense of Marblehead and Downward Spiral. The selection reverts back to hurdles after a successful campaign over fences earlier in the summer. He made all to win at Market Rasen in May and has since run with credit. He comes from yard in top form at present and with luck in running he is sure to close. Marblehead won two hunter chases when tried by the Twiston Davies assistant Fergal O'Brien last season. Now in the care of his boss, Marblehead showed promise after finishing third of twelve over course and distance last time out and a repeat performance will see him in the prize money. Downward Spiral is still relatively unexposed with only five runs to his name to date. He made all to win at Towcester on his penultimate outing and showed courage after finishing second with a penalty over course and distance last time out. He is still on the up grade and will give his supporters another good run for their money. Marblehead is well in on his official handicap mark and if at his best he looks the one horse to beat.
Downward Spiral (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed when mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Chesapeake (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Artist's Return (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Behind, some headway 8th, never in contention, tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Makena (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
King Rocky 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Kisha King (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Marblehead (IRE) 9-4 (10-7) With leader, ridden after 7th, no impression approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Chesapeake (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
North Island (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 6th, 8th or 11th, outpaced 4 out, rallied last, ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Putney Bridge (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Oursininlaw (IRE) 2-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 5th, led last, driven clear 1f out, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Our Guardian Angel (10-5) by 7l, 10 ran.
Silver Story 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, reminders after 7th, headway when not fluent next, every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 10, 21l behind Mad Jack Duncan (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Moscow Jewel (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Crumpled on landing and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Alpine Breeze (10-10) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun, 14 ran.
