in touch, went 2nd 2 out, ridden approaching last, hung left and not quicken flat
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
held up, headway 8th, led after 4 out, ridden 2 out, ran on
held up, headway 7th, mistake 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, hit 5th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, one pace from next
led to 3rd, led again approaching 7th, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up, hit 6th, headway 8th, ridden and every chance when blundered 3 out, no extra flat
not fluent, led 3rd, headed approaching 7th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
Despite topweight, Midnight Creek, from the in-form stable of Venetia Williams, can prove the answer over the likes of Water Sports, Monti Flyer and Mini Dare in a race lacking strength in depth. Midnight Creek was a fairly useful middle-distance to staying sort on the Flat and was successful over hurdles for Alan Swinbank in 2002. He was having his first outing since moving stables when lining up fancied at Carlisle 10 days ago, and it was only lack of condition that saw him beaten two lengths by Kharak. The step up to three miles should not be a problem here and he will be that bit fitter as well. He should be up to conceding a pound to Water Sports who beat little in an amateur riders' event at Taunton last time. She will appreciate the drying ground though and should be good for a place. Monti Flyer was another that left the money in the bookies' satchels when only third at Fakenham last time. Mini Dare seemed to enjoy being back over the smaller obstacles when a close second at Huntingdon and gets every yard of the trip. He is entitled to be there or thereabouts as well, but Midnight Creek, with Sam Thomas claiming a valuable five pounds, should be up to the task.
