led and jumped right 1st, headed soon after, virtually refused and unseated rider 2nd
towards rear, stayed on from 2 out
towards rear, hampered 1st, blundered 2nd, behind from 3 out
tracked leaders, tracked winner from 2nd, ridden 2 out, mistake when weakening last
held up, headway after 2 out, soon beaten
in touch, hampered 2nd, weakened after 3 out
A tough race to call here for punters and the market will be very informative but the principals look to be With Speed, Melvino and The Cayterers and the tentative nomination is given to With Speed. The selection would have been a fair third behind Knockavilla on his debut but for falling two out, that race looked stronger than this and with improvement likely he is taken to score. Melvino rates the main danger on his debut third behind Star Of Canterbury but he looked a non stayer on that occasion and is taken on with this in mind. The Cayterers was third behind Magic Rush on his first start over hurdles and is another that should improve so he should be watched in the market. Sir Monty is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but he may need the run after a 746 day break. Thistle has had plenty of chances and is becoming hard to win with and for the winner we return to With Speed.
Magic Clover (ARG) 20-1 (9-12) Led, headed approaching 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 8th of 9, 6l behind Jack Rolfe (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f hcap (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Melvino 18-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 4th, ridden to chase leading quartet 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Star of Canterbury (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
North Fleet 50-1 (8-11) Pulled hard, chased leaders 5f, eased when no chance final furlong, 12th of 13, 17l behind Halfwaytoparadise (8-8) at Brighton 7f clm (6) gs in Oct (Flat).
Rhetoric (IRE) 100-1 (9-8) Held up, behind, hampered 3 out, stayed on flat, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 8l behind Golden Square (10-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Secret Cavern (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Always in the rear, 11th of 14, 48l behind Star of Canterbury (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
The Cayterers 16-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Magic Rush (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Thistle 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, blundered and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Prince De Bersy (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gf in Sept.
With Speed (GER) 10-3 (11-0) Held up in rear, progressed to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, no impression next, 8 lengths 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Knockavilla (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (3) gf, 8 ran.
Star Berry 200-1 (10-0) Prominent, hampered 1st, jumped left 4th, weakened, 14th of 16, 42l behind Kia Kaha (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Sir Monty (USA) 2-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 28l behind Flaming Weapon (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Oct '05.
