in touch, ridden and outpaced 9th, chased winner after last until no extra towards finish
towards rear, blundered 7th, ridden 4 out, no impression
with leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, led again 7th, blundered 8th, weakening when headed 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden to chase leader approaching 9th, soon weakened
blundered, unseated rider 2nd
held up, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well
soon chasing leaders, led 6th, headed 7th, chased winner flat, no impression
always behind and not fluent, pulled up before 3rd
led to 3rd, weakened from 8th
Not a race to risk the mortgage on and The Stickler might provide us with a winner, while Litron and Daldini look best in opposition. The selection hit form at Market Rasen last time in a similar race to this, staying on well to finish runner up to the very useful Two Miles West. Although the margin of defeat flattered The Stickler it was still a decent effort and any improvement here would see him in with a major chance. Litron has already won at the track but it's been a long time between drinks for him and there is surely little merit in lumping on a gelding who has lost 13 successive races since that win here in May 2004, especially when he prefers faster ground. Daldini has won on heavy on the flat but is another who clearly prefers a sound surface, but he still looks booked for a good run in this company. Hugs Destiny would prefer faster ground and further, and Hollows Mist is on the downgrade so we will take a chance on The Stickler to do the business.
Daldini 13-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and effort between last 2, kept on, always held, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf in May.
Earl Of Spectrum (GER) 14-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders to 3 out, 10th of 12, 25l behind Country Escape (11-6) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Hollows Mist 8-1 (9-9) Held up, headway 4 out, kept on from next, 4th of 12, 5l behind Fly Kicker (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Tessanoora (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (3) gf in May.
Iris's Dream 25-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, weakened after next, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Crathorne (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs.
Litron (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner between last 2, 4 lengths down last, stayed on well, just held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Oniz Tiptoes (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
The Stickler 40-1 (11-0) Behind, headway 4 out, rider lost iron after 2 out, stayed on after last, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Two Miles West (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Cashema (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up mid division, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 13, 21l behind Last Pioneer (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in May.
