NARCOS was green in the early stages at Doncaster but stayed on strongly to lead inside the final furlong and win going away. That run suggests the extra furlong here won’t be a problem and he looks the one to beat if handling the softer going. Lisheen Castle and Salazar were also first-time winners with the former scoring over this trip on soft ground at Hamilton and the latter landing a maiden on this track but a bigger danger may be Valdolobo. Karl Burke’s charge was only caught close home in a Haydock novice event which is working out well. He holds Ripon winner Austrian School on collateral form.
Lisheen Castle (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 1m stks (5) sft in Aug beating Ayutthaya (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Salazar (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on, won at Ayr 7f stks (5) gd in Aug beating Weellan (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Austrian School (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 6, 5 3/4l behind Chilean (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (3) pol in Aug.
Narcos (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 7f stks (4) gd in Aug beating Make Good (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Canadian George (FR) 20-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced halfway, headway on inside 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Arabian Jazz (8-11) at Musselburgh 7f stks (5) gf in Sep.
French Resistance (IRE) 150-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 9 1/2l behind The Revenant (9-0) at Haydock 1m stks (4) gs in Sep.
Handsome Bob (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Slow in to stride, outpaced halfway, never a factor, 6th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Canford's Joy (9-5) at Carlisle 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Valdolobo (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and hard pressed from over 1f out, headed close home, 3rd of 7, nk behind White Mocha (9-2) at Haydock 1m stks (4) gs in Aug.
Ventura Royal (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Exhort (9-6) at Thirsk 1m fll stks (4) gf in Sep.
Party Fears Too (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, hung left on bend over 4f out, always behind, last of 8, 13 1/4l behind Soldier's Minute (9-2) at Musselburgh 7f stks (5) gf in Aug.
