led until headed approaching 3rd, in touch until ridden 6th, weakening when blundered 8th, soon behind
mid-division, tried to refuse 5th, slow jump next, pulled up before 8th
held up towards rear, moderate headway 8th, soon one pace
prominent until 7th, weakened next, soon behind
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 4 out, one pace last
held up in rear, headway 9th, stayed on from 2 out to be remote 4th
prominent, keen, led 3rd, pecked 6th, headed before 8th, weakened quickly
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led 2 out, hit last, ran on flat
mid-division, late headway from 3 out, to be nearest at finish
always prominent, led approaching 8, soon clear, headed approaching 2 out, weakening when not fluent last
in touch to 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division to 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 9th
unruly, reluctant to race, always well in rear
Nonrunner
The vote in the opener goes to Jivaty, with his main dangers reckoned to be Mantles Prince and Quizzical. Jivaty is the highest rated of these and, even though his best recent form has come over fences, his hurdling form of a year ago would give him a big chance. Mantles Prince rates a big danger, with his form rating solidly at 90-plus of late, although he has not raced for 135 days. Quizzical did well to win at Sedgefield in August but, overall, needs to improve by a few pounds to feature. Having had a pipe-opener, Alvaro, who fares pretty well on adjusted ratings, is entitled to go well. Dante's Battle's May 2004 winning form would give him a good chance although, of course, recent efforts have not matched it. With Dat My Horse not looking the force of old, we return to the selection, which is Jivaty.
Alvaro (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Prominent, ridden after 8th, lost place 10th, kept on flat, 5th of 11, 19l behind Irishkawa Bellevue (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
Audiostreetdotcom 7-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, every chance when tried to refuse and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Southerncrosspatch (10-9) at Worcester 3m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf, 12 ran.
Dante's Battle (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up, mistake 4th, headway 8th, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Jazz Night (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Aug.
Jivaty (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Chasing leader when fell at the 9th in race won by Detonateur (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (D) gd, 9 ran.
Quizzical 10-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out pulled up at the 11th in race won by Emer's Choice (10-3) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-102 gs in Sept, 15 ran.
Greencard Golf 11-4 (11-2) Behind, headway 8th, not clear run and lost place after 9th, 3rd and no chance when blundered last, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Penny's Crown (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (G) gs.
Knight of Silver 9-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind The Kirk (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in May.
Mantles Prince 11-2 (10-3) Chased clear leader, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Whispered Secret (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jun.
