in touch, headway and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when blundered last
prominent, ridden 4 out, outpaced when hit next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, driven 3 out, never dangerous
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, driven and headway 3 out, led approaching next, clear last, eased near finish
held up, effort 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ran on well to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
behind, ridden 2 out, never dangerous
Bargain Hunt gets a tentative vote over Wyn Dixie, He's Hot Right Now and Lofty Leader. This is a tough one to sort out with any conviction, as none of them line up in any sort of form at present, so a bit of guesswork is required. At least Bargain Hunt has time on his side at the age of four, and the fact that he has been placed a few times in the past puts him in with a chance, at least in the context of this race. Second at Cartmel in May, he will need to jump better, but was kept busy on the Flat prior to his return to hurdles at Kelso, so his fitness is not in doubt. On aline through Dream Castle, he should have the beating of Wyn Dixie, while He's Hot Right Now returns from a spell chasing but was successful over timber at Sedgefield in May. Lofty Leader would perhaps prefer softer ground but does have winning form to his name, so is another to consider, but the big question is who is going to bounce back to form today. We reckon that it could well be Bargain Hunt.
He's Hot Right Now (NZ) 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Loy's Lad (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Sept.
Ton-Chee 14-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching last, we in race won by Just In Time (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Aug, 8 ran.
Lofty Leader (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 34l behind Sir Night (10-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf.
Bargain Hunt (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Behind, outpaced 4 out, kept on flat, 4th of 10, 8l behind Sir Night (10-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 7-2 (9-13) Tracked leader, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 7, 22l behind Top Style (10-4) at PerthCARIO
