in rear, hampered 5th, ridden 6th, weakened after next
led after 1st, headed 3rd, remained prominent, ridden 5th, weakened next, soon pulled up
mid-division, soon pushed along, brought down 5th
took keen hold, soon steady to mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, no impression
mid-division, headway 6th, led before 2 out, comfortable
prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed before 2 out, held when not much room on inside over 1f out
always in rear, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before omitted fence
held up, stumbled after 1st, headway 6th, chased winner after 3 out until after 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, dismounted after finish
led 1st, close up, 4th when fell at 5th
prominent, chased leader 4th, hit next, weakened after 6th, pulled up before next
in rear, hampered after 1st, behind from 3 out
This is a trappy contest to start with as low grade animals face the starter but we take a chance that House Martin can come out on top. Protocol has won in this company over this course and distance last year but had shown little since until returning to form in a big field at Market Rasen last time, finishing second in a big field. That was only marginally better than a seller though and he cannot be relied upon to run two races alike so he is passed over. Executive Paddy is dropped to selling class for the first time but he is something of an unknown quantity in this country as this is his first run here after coming over from Ireland. A recent third in handicap company at Kilbeggan suggests he is capable of winning a race of this nature but he tends to fade in his races and is taken on. House Martin has slipped down the ratings on the Flat but was once rated quite high. His efforts in novice hurdles were encouraging and since being dropped to selling class he has run well without winning. This may be the opportunity House Martin has waited 22 races for, to lose his maiden tag and he can fly home here.
Protocol (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Hardybuck (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
House Martin 3-1fav (10-3) Keen, mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Weet A Head (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Escobar (POL) 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 43l behind Tagula Blue (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Discomania 28-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 10, 29l behind Weet A Head (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Executive Paddy (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Soon led, headed after 2nd, 3rd before 5 out, 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, 10th of 16, 22l behind Bullhill Flyer (10-1) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hacp hdl gs in Sept.
Saddlers Express 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 49l behind Verstone (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Cadeaux Rouge (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 36l behind My Good Lord (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sept.
Spirit Guide (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, headway 3 out, outpaced after next, 7th of 10, 36l behind Neutrino (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
