behind when fell 2nd
led until 5th, with winner until mistake 9th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
in touch until outpaced 8th, stayed on again from 3 out
held up behind, steady progress from 6th, chased winner after 4 out, no further impression from next, hit last, weakened
not fluent 1st, always behind
towards rear, tailed off 7th, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 5th, drew clear approaching 4 out, eased flat
in touch until weakened after 9th
Spanchil Hill ran much better at Market Rasen last time and has claims on that evidence but a 2lb rise for that effort looks harsh and preference is for Westfield Dancer, who gets the vote ahead of Shady Merlin. The selection is better than his form at Southwell last time would suggest but runners form the yard of Evan Williams were badly out of form then; however, they are running better now so there is every chance that he can improve on that form. Macgyver has been well held in recent starts and is difficult to recommend, while Penalty Clause may be best watched on his first start for trainer Paul Howling. Shady Merlin is less exposed than most of these and showed his best form so far when third at Southwell last time but Westfield Dancer has solid claims on his best and he gets the vote in the hope that he can recapture that today.
Wondersobright (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Held up, hit 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, 21l behind Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Westfield Dancer (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Led, headed after 3rd, reminders after 6th, hit 9th, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Schinken Otto (10-13) at Southwell 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Shady Merlin (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased clear pair, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Magic Route (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Spanchil Hill 4-1 (10-4) Held up, headway and hit 4 out, chased winner from next, kept on, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Assumetheposition (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Blazing Batman 20-1 (9-7) In touch, lost place 11th, tailed off from 14th, last of 6, well behind Barren Lands (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
Penalty Clause (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 5th, weakened from next, 9th of 15, well behind Theatre Tinka (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
Macgyver (NZ) 40-1 (9-13) Took keen hold tracking leaders, chased winner after 8th, lost 2nd last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Cheeky Lad (10-8) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Aug.
Auditor 16-1 (10-1) Reminders after 1st, led 3rd, hit 5th, headed 8th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 9, 46l behind Assumetheposition (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
