led, ridden and headed approaching last where mistake, lost 2nd flat
held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on to go 2nd flat but not trouble winner
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakening when not fluent 2 out, eased, tailed off
held up in rear, ridden after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off
mid-division, headway 5th, not fluent next, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mistake 5th, always towards rear, lost touch approaching 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leader until after 3rd, remained prominent until weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, took keen hold, went 2nd after 3rd until approaching 5th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, lost touch after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always prominent, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well
The win by MOLESKIN at Exeter last time was franked on Monday by runner-up that day, Watamu Bay, and we will side with Vic Dartnall's gelding to follow up under a penalty, while Upham Atom and Shalamiyr are much respected. The selection has a length-and-a-half to spare when scoring over 2m 6f at Haldon Hill, and the ground was just as testing there as it is likely to be today. The return to 2m 4f should not be a major problem, and with improvement to come he may well be good enough to give weight and a beating to his opponents. Upham Atom has not been seen since May and so has fitness to prove, but he should stay this far and he acts with plenty of cut, so a decent effort is anticipated. Shalamiyr is arguably pretty well off at these weights compared to if this were a handicap, but that does not account for improvement from the selection. Philip Hobbs' gelding has a bit to find with Aldertune on their Taunton bumper running from January, but he has been going the right way so far this time and should be thereabouts. Aldertune was going well enough when hampered and unseating Harry Skelton at Fontwell on his hurdling debut, but he goes on this ground and is no forlorn hope with more luck in running. De Bansha Man is not written off in spite of an ordinary effort last time and the drop in trip might help the Twiston-Davies runner, but Moleskin is the one for us.
Moleskin (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Made virtually all, wandering under pressure from 2 out, edged left flat, edged right towards finish, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) hvy beating Watamu Bay (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Aldertune (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, badly hampered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Dot's Delight (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gs, 15 ran.
De Bansha Man (IRE) Evensfav (10-11) Soon led, pushed along and headed before 3 out, eased, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Sprosser (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Ocheekobee (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Ww rr, prog to 4th 5out, hdway to disp 3out, 2nd 2out, renewed effort to ld at last, drew clr on flat, won at Tinahely 3m ire ptp in Mar '08 beating Doctor Sheil (12-0) by 2l, 13 ran.
Roko Dancer (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, kept on final 2f, chased winner towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Sherwani Wolf (11-4) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Shalamiyr (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, chased leaders after 4 out, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Manyriverstocross (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
The Disengager (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 29l behind Jau (11-0) at Hereford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Upham Atom 10-3 (11-2) Tracked leader, left in lead 4th, headed approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, 28l behind Come Out Firing (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Ilewinbepatient 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 4 out, 13th of 15, well behind Izita Star (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Mrs Onc 66-1 (10-7) Held up, jumped right 3rd, weakened 9th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Star Of Angels (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Silver Kate (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Chased leader, hit 1st, lost 2nd 3rd, pushed along 5th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 18l behind Orbital Orchid (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Chapolimoss (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, outpaced next, no impression, 5th of 13, 14l behind The Giant Bolster (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Inchando (FR) 22-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened approaching 4 out, 11th of 13, 38l behind My Friend Sandy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
