held up towards rear, headway halfway, in touch, every chance when blundered 3 out, led briefly between last 2, one pace flat
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out, no impression
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, struggling and dropped rear halfway, no danger after
prominent, led 13th, headed between last 2, no extra under pressure
chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well
not fluent, held up in rear, fell 15th
in touch, mistake 7th, pushed along 14th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, headed 13th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, headway 3 out, effort between last 2, stayed on flat to chase winner near finish
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Farington Lodge, Keltic Lord and Looking Forward and the tentative vote is given to Keltic Lord. The selection has dropped to a handy mark and although only fifth behind Spare Change last time out he will relish this faster surface and he looks a value bet in an open affair. Farington Lodge rates the main danger on his latest sixth behind Terramarique. However he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him on that occasion and he is taken on with this in mind. Looking Forward is another worthy of respect on his latest second behind Hurlers Cross. That form has since been franked and he could go well at a price. Newbay Lady is thrown in on her best form but has shown little of late and she looks opposable on that basis. Of the remainder Ballynure was a fair third last time out and is another with place claims while Tee-Jay's best form is with more cut in the ground and with this in mind for the winner we return to Keltic Lord who is well in on his best form.
Keltic Lord 5-1 (10-8) Held up, not fluent 3rd, effort 11th, never troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 20l behind Spare Change (9-10) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Farington Lodge (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Keen hold in touch, ridden to challenge 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 13, 16l behind Terramarique (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Ballynure (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, outpaced 13th, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, kept on one pace next, 3rd of 11, 27l behind Manoubi (11-11) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jun.
Buck Compton (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Always behind, 7th of 14, well behind Poker De Sivola (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Tee-Jay (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression, finished lame, 5th of 15, 39l behind Hurlers Cross (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Super Revo 3-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling half way, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Manoubi (11-11) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jun, 11 ran.
Looking Forward 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, headway 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 29l behind Hurlers Cross (9-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Wensleydale Web 200-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, pecked 8th, always behind, 5th of 8, 42l behind Square Mile (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Sept.
Newbay Lady 14-1 (11-7) Chased leader until after 6th, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 37l behind Aristi (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Sept.
Red Dawn (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, weakened after 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Browneyes Blue (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Jul, 10 ran.
Carroll's O'Tully (IRE) 5-2fav (9-11) Led, headed and ridden 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Princess of Spurs (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Jul.
