led, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden and effort, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out
tracked leaders, headway when not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly
towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, no extra 2 out
mid-division, weakened halfway
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leader, ridden 3 out, outpaced next
towards rear, never dangerous
Gentian gets the confident vote here with Dubai Around and Categorical rating the main dangers. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Ryehope Chief last time out. Granted he has a double penalty here but he again has conditions to suit and as most of his main dangers are unproven over hurdles he is taken to win again. Dubai Around rates the main danger as he has place form on the flat at up to 12 furlongs but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip over hurdles and he is opposed with this in mind. Categorical has place form at up to a mile on the flat and is another with each-way claims but his stamina must be suspect. Of the remainder, English City has at least won a race on the flat but his breeding suggests he will not stay this far and with this in mind for the winner we return to Gentian who is impossible to oppose.
Gentian 4-7fav (10-9) Tracked leader, led 2nd, made rest, cleared 2 out, eased towards finish, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Ryhope Chief (10-9) by 10l, 11 ran.
Carrietau 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, some headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 30l behind Touch of Ivory (9-12) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Sept.
Categorical 40-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 6l behind Mull of Dubai (8-4) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Dubai Around (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3l behind King's Fable (8-4) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sept (Flat).
English City (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up behind, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Moonlight Fantasy (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (6) gf in Aug (Flat).
Kincaid 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride and always behind, 15th of 16, 23l behind Cape Sydney (8-12) at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Sept (Flat).
Petrichan (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Led to over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, virtually pulled up, last of 10, well behind Bedouin Blue (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jul (Flat).
Eden Cracket Silver Patriarch filly, half-sister to the winning jumper Meltonian.
