chased leaders, went 3rd approaching last, ridden and kept on to take 2nd towards finish
towards rear, mistake 4th, effort approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden last, kept on to lead final 100 yards
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, weakened after 2 out
prominent, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, weakened after 4th, pulled up before next
held up mid-division, no impression from 2 out
led, ridden last, headed last 100 yards, no extra
held up towards rear, chased leaders approaching 3rd, ridden approaching last, kept on
in rear, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
MASTER FONG is our selection in the opener with King O'The Gypsies and Hippolytus put forward as alternatives. The selection is proven under the prevailing conditions and can be forgiven a below par showing at Stratford where too much use was made of him. The blinkers have been removed and on his third to Blue Nymph at Doncaster, he should prove good enough. King O'The Gypsies is respected as a big player. He does not always find as much as promised and could be one to note when tried in handicaps. Lucinda Russell has her string among the winners and Hippolytus makes a debut over hurdles. Rated in the high 70's when trained by John Quinn on the flat, he had no issues with regard to the going under that code. Chester Lad was a little unlucky to depart at Newcastle though there had been money around which suggests he could give a bold account here if he has shown no ill effects. Pensnett Bay ran second in a heavy ground Uttoxeter bumper and could conceivably improve on two runs under slightly less testing conditions. Digg Whitaker was a rare 66/1 runner for Howard Johnson and he ran a race that accurately reflected his price. Roll Over Rose is from a family of stout hunters so might be one to watch with an eye to the future. Master Fong has the call in a race where there are a couple of promising types.
King O'The Gypsies (IRE) 13-8fav (11-1) Always prominent, challenged 2 out, hard ridden to lead narrowly flat, held on near finish, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Colour Clash (11-1) by nk, 16 ran.
Benluna (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway on inner over 4f out, ridden 2f out, no impression, 6th of 17, 20l behind Seren Rouge (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs.
Chester Lad 10-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, mid-division when hampered badly and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Turbo Island (11-3) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Digg Whitaker 66-1 (11-2) Jumped poorly, always in rear, tailed off 7th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Double Expresso (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 9 ran.
Hippolytus 17-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 12, 13l behind Distant Memories (9-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Sep (flat).
Mezuzah 100-1 (11-0) Led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 23l behind Shilpa (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Pensnett Bay 14-1 (10-11) Chased leader until over 3f out, weakened over 2 f out, 8th of 13, 30l behind Inga Bird (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs.
Timewiltel 250-1 (10-8) Always behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Cool Mission (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Acclaim To Fame (IRE) 5-1 (7-13) Led steady pace, headed over 4f out, rallied and every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Addison De Witt (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug (flat).
Master Fong (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Led, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Tanto Faz (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Roll Over Rose (IRE) Beneficial mare out of Rockport Rosa.
Still Royal 200-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, jumped violently left 3rd and next, soon lost place, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Turbo Island (11-3) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Sally's Idea 33-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Miss Nightshade (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs, 10 ran.
