in touch, brief effort approaching 3 out, held when left 3rd last
led, headed 4th, remained prominent until weakened after 4 out
in touch, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra
prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on strongly to lead again flat
blundered and unseated rider 1st
prominent, effort approaching 3 out, 3rd and held when blundered and unseated rider last
towards rear, pushed along 8th, outpaced 4 out
MANOUBI has the verdict in this small but competitive field with Reckless Venture and Herbie also given chances. The selection steps down in trip here after a good performance on this track last time but didn't quite stay on and managed a credible second. The Martin Todhunter trained nine-year-old is now rated lower than when he took a contest on this circuit in June 2007 and although he'll have to concede weight to his rivals he should have enough. Lucinda Russell saddles Reckless Venture, who¿s returned to action this season with a pair of fourth place finishes. This one has tasted victory as recently as last March, which came over course distance and similar conditions under foot. The gelding only had a short break between his last two outings and fitness will be improved so definitely one for the calculations. Ground conditions will suit Herbie from Howard Johnson stable. His best effort of recent note came on heavy going at Sedgefield back in February when fourth of 12. Both runs since have been disappointing including his seasonal return a few months back when unplaced. The ground will bring about an improvement which is why his considered but Manoubi should score.
Manoubi 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Whatdoidowiththat (10-7) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Oct.
Ring Of Beara (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Seek The Truth (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Reckless Venture (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Prominent, outpaced 5 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 24l behind Seek The Truth (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Sunny Brook 16-1 (10-7) Jumped left, close up until weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 7, 39l behind Chickapeakray (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) sft in Feb '07.
Herbie (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Held up, headway 4 out, weakened after next, 11th of 13, 23l behind Flemish Invader (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Sept.
Neidpath Castle 8-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden 5 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Seek The Truth (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Panthers Run 12-1 (10-8) Held up, prominent 10th, mistake next, soon beaten, 4th of 9, well behind Toy Gun (10-10) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Oct.
