held up towards rear, went 4th approaching 8th, driven after 3 out, soon left 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader to 3rd, left 2nd 6th, weakened approaching 8th
not jumped well, raced keenly in last pair, progress to go 2nd 7th, dropped to 3rd after 4 out, disputing 3rd and weakenening when pulled up after 3 out, dismounted
took keen hold in last pair, not fluent, hit 5th, struggling 7th, disputing poor 4th when blundered, slithered on landing and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, jumped left and hit 5th, blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
led, left well clear 6th, headed after 3 out, soon beaten
chased leading trio, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden to lead after 3 out, soon ridden clear
This isn't the strongest of races so it may be worth taking a chance with SILVERHAY despite his absence from the track. Cortinas will be in the mix but has proved difficult to win with whilst Rio Laine isn't out of the ordinary. Tim Vaughan has done well with his recruits from other yards and Silverhay showed a fair level of form in his prime for Liam Corcoran before losing his way. The handicapper has relented to some extent and he's unlikely to lack for fitness. Cortinas has promised more than he's delivered thus far having made the frame on five of his seven runs over fences but failing to get his head in front. He may do so one day but we'd rather be against him until he does. Rio Laine may have found the ground too soft at Cartmel when failing to go on from his win at Worcester so could be worth another chance if the rain stays away. Glengarra has been in fine form in the main whilst My Condor is capable of finishing in the money on his day but this could be the day that Silverhay takes gold.
Cortinas (GER) 11-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, weakened after 10th, left remote 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Master Nimbus (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f noc chs (4) gd in Aug.
Glengarra (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Led, mistake 3rd, headed 6th, weakened after 9th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Celtic Boy (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Silverhay 66-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, struggling when hit 3 out, soon behind, 12th of 14, 49l behind Earth Planet (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr '08.
Grasscutter (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Led, clear 2nd, not fluent 5th, hung right and reluctant bypassing paddock exit after 5th, mistake next, ridden approaching 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon folded, 5th of 8, 17l behind Aberdeen Park (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Jul.
Rio Laine 9-2 (11-0) Held up, in touch, headway after 4 out, chased leader next, lost place last, no impression flat, 4th of 8, 17l behind Turbo Shandy (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Aug.
My Condor (IRE) 3-1 (10-6) Pressed winner until 3 out, soon folded, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Colliers Court (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Sep.
Bright Sparky (GER) 13-2 (10-8) Held up mid-division, ridden 8th, fell 10th, in a race won by Saafend Rocket (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf in May, 15 ran.
