disputed early, led clearly after 1st, headed 5th, hit 4 out, ridden before 2 out, rallied to go second when pushed along before final flight, soon dropped to third on landing when outpaced by front pair run-in, kept on
prominent, keen when closed on leaders after 2nd, led 5th, pushed along when headed between final two flights, dropped to fourth before final flight, weakened run-in, just held on to position when faced challenge final strides
held up last, slow jump and outpaced 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, stayed on past tiring rivals before final flight, weakened run-in
always towards rear, struggling before 2 out, kept on one pace after tired jump last
disputed early, headed after 1st but remained close up, dropped to midfield 5th, struggling before 3 out, gradually weakened
prominent, pushed along when outpaced after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace after last
midfield, raced wide approaching 4th, steady headway from before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, led between final two flights, ridden when faced challenge after final flight, out all at finish, just prevailed
midfield, dropped towards rear and reminders after 3rd, took closer order to track leaders after 4th, raced in third before 4 out, jumped big 3 out, soon outpaced and struggling before 2 out, weakened and dropped to sixth run-in
held up, headway before 3 out, bad mistake 2 out, rallied when ridden to chase leader before last, ran on well final 110 yard on run-in, all out but not pace of winner near finish
never better than midfield, outpaced from before 3 out, gradually weakened
prominent, dropped to midfield 4th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied when pushed along after 2 out, stayed on again run-in, just denied fourth final strides
Thereisnodoubt is one of the few whose fitness is guaranteed. The top weight won at Perth last month but has been raised 4lb so may be back in the handicapper’s grip. Malangen is a Perth specialist but Well Educated won this last year when 4lb higher and placed at Bangor and Cartmel in August. Russian Virtue was also in action over the summer but soft going could be an issue. GARDENER will love conditions and is less exposed than most of these. He beat a number of subsequent winners at Leicester last winter and is having only a second run in a handicap. Grain d'Oudairies makes his handicap debut after just three starts and the four-year-old filly Golden Glance is another with plenty of scope.
Thereisnodoubt (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Led narrowly, hit 1st, headed narrowly 2 out, soon pushed along and sustained duel with runner-up, ridden run-in and rallied to lead again towards finish, gamely, won at Perth 2m hcp (4) hvy in Sep beating Cuban Cigar (11-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 5-1 (11-13) Raced keenly, held up in rear, headway chasing leaders turning in, mistake and weakened last, 6th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Glinger Flame (11-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Jante Law 17-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, mistake 4th and unseated rider, at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Holly (FR) 13-2 (11-13) Towards rear, pushed along 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 8th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Djelo (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Gardener (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Not always fluent, led until before 4th, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Half Dozen (11-8) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Golden Glance 11-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, effort after 2 out, unable to get on terms with leaders, 7th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Under Control (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp fll (1) gd in Apr.
Russian Virtue 10-3 (11-5) Held up in rear, not always fluent, headway after 5th, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 11 1/4l behind Garde Des Champs (11-4) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Well Educated (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Prominent, joined leader 3 out, led next, ridden along after last, headed rounding home turn, ran on, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Young Merlin (10-13) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Grain D'oudairies (FR) Evensfav (11-9) Chased leaders on inside, pulled hard, went 2nd 5th, not fluent 2 out, no extra when mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Largy Shark (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gs in Apr.
Moonlight Glory (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Mid-division, plugged on run-in, never threatened, 5th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Glinger Flame (11-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Malangen (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Led, went clear after 2nd, reduced advantage approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Our Sam (11-6) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
