took keen hold, held up and always towards rear, tailed off
mistake 7th, always in last pair, tailed off
held up in last trio, pushed along after 6th, headway under pressure after next, weakened 3 out
chased leading pair, went 2nd approaching 3 out until 3 out, chased leading pair and every chance 2 out, driven before last, kept on same pace in 4th flat, rallied to 3rd again final 75 yards
took keen hold tracking leaders in 5th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, crossed last, driven and no impression when lost 2nd flat, no extra in 4th final 75 yards
took keen hold and held up in last pair, headway on inside 3 out, went 4th 2 out, driven between last 2, went 2nd flat, stayed on under pressure flat to lead final 100 yards, won going away (no time taken)
took keen hold tracking leaders, hit 2nd, mistake and lost place 7th, driven and beaten before next, tailed off
led, pushed along and headed before 3 out, soon lost 2nd, weakening when hit 2 out
tended to jump left, chased leader, led before 3 out, ridden and hanging left when joined 2 out, went badly left and mistake last, hung left flat, headed and no extra final 100 yards
TARA MUCK would have gone very close at Towcester last time had she not been hampered approaching the last. That wasn't a great race but she looks to be heading the right direction and is weighted to go close in this finale. Favourite Girl won at Leicester at the start of the month and shouldn't be far away again here but Entertain Me is better over fences and Kathleen Frances is running out of chances. Sparkling Hand won at Newcastle eight days ago but that was a shocking contest and there's no guarantee she'll consent to put her best foot forward again in this. In By Midnight is probably best of the rest.
September Blaze 25-1 (11-6) In touch, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, 21l behind Weather Babe (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
Kathleen Frances 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, one pace after 3 out, soon no chance with leaders, 5th of 15, 34l behind Legacy Gold (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Entertain Me 16-1 (11-5) Left tracking leaders 1st, close up 10th, went 2nd next, led before 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and hard pressed on long run between last 2, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Roc D'apsis (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
In By Midnight 9-1 (9-13) In touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 12, 16l behind Benefique Royale (10-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (3) gs.
Favorite Girl (GER) 6-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 2 out, switched right approaching last, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs beating Great Value (11-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
Iron Butterfly 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace and beaten before last, 6th of 11, 8l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Tara Muck 9-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, closed 4th, close 3rd when not much room and switched left before last, stayed on flat, unable to challenge, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Lady Charisma (10-12) at Towcester 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Sparkling Hand 8-1 (10-6) In touch on outside, driven 3 out, led narrowly approaching 2 out, ridden and held on gamely flat, won at Newcastle 2m (4) sft beating Nautical Twilight (10-1) by nk, 8 ran.
Queen Spud 10-1 (10-8) Led narrowly 2nd, headed before 3 out, soon beaten, lost moderate 4th near finish, 5th of 7, 18l behind Portway Flyer (11-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f cond nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
