held up towards rear, weakened 8th, tailed off
held up mid-division, effort 8th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to chase winner 2 out, kept on flat, not reach winner
led, jumped right and unseated rider 2nd
held up last, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon led, clear 2 out, drifted right flat, all out
prominent, joint leader 2nd, challenged 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last
held up mid-divison, ridden 6th, outpaced 8th, stayed on one pace from 3 out
held up in touch, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, not quicken
chased leader, left in lead 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace 2 out
Astayanax, Giovanna and Gaelic Roulette are the three for the shortlist and Astayanax is given the nomination. Astyanax won readily at Newbury a couple of months ago but he disappointed badly at Huntingdon and it is hoped that a couple of months off will have got to the bottom of any problems. Giovanna was a mare going places this summer and it is interesting that Richard Phillips pitches her in against the opposite sex. A second to Rabbit at Uttoxeter reads particularly well in hindsight. Gaelic Roulette won impressively at Bangor in July but more is required off her revised mark. Uncle Max appears to need much softer going and has flopped badly on two recent attempts on this surface. High Gear has begun to look difficult to win with while Smart Tiger will need to improve on a recent second in claiming grade. El Corredor is respected as a previous course and distance winner. A tough finale and a chance is taken with Astayanax.
Gaelic Roulette (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 7th, chased leaders next, led last, ran on, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jul beating Better Moment (11-3) by 3l, 9 ran.
High Gear (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 11th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Rash Moment (10-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Astyanax (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leader until ridden and weakend approaching 3 out, 11th of 20, 46l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Giovanna 2-5fav (11-3) Held up in rear, hard ridden and jumped left 8th, headway under pressure after, led line, all out, won at Bangor 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Langdon Lane (10-10) by a hd, 10 ran.
Ingres 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, driven along from 3 out, every chance under pressure last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Son of Greek Myth (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
El Corredor (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Ran in snatches, in touch, blundered 6th, never a factor after, 6th of 9, 48l behind Maidstone Monument (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Smart Tiger (GER) 12-1 (10-9) Chased winner throughout, ridden after 3 out, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Allaboveboard (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Uncle Max (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 17, 11l behind Rabbit (10-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Tanning 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until lost place 8th, soon well behind, 6th of 10, 12l behind Son of Greek Myth (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
