held up, towards rear, headway 5th, effort 7th, soon lost place, tailed off 2 out
led, headed approaching last, one pace
held up, effort 7th, no impression
chased leaders, one pace 2 out
held up towards rear and mistakes, headway 3 out, stayed on from last
in touch, chased leaders 6th, led approaching last, driven out
held up, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased winner from last, kept on flat
mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, weakened flat
held up towards rear, weakened 3 out
A wide oepn contest gets proceedings underway and many would have chances on there best form but the principals look to be Ellerslie Tom,Ball O Malt and Aleron and the vote is given to the progressive Ellerslie Tom. The selection is improving with each run and won with a little in hand last time out when beating Aleron granted that rival is better off at the weights here but the selection is improving with each run and under conditions that suit he is taken to defy the handicaper. Ball O Malt rates the main danger as he has been in fair form over fences of late and returns to hurdles on a favourable mark. However he took a heavy fall last time out over fences and he may just be here for a confidence boosting round so he is taken on. Aleron is sure to have his supporters on these terms but he still looks in the handicapers grip.Irish Wolf is another that could go well but he hails from the same stable as the selection and he should be watched in the market. Wiggy Smith is another that could go well but he has yet to win over a trip this far. Of the remainder Hilltime will be a danger to all if the rain stays away but for the winner we return to Ellerslie Tom.
Specular (AUS) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, hit 3rd, went remote 3rd, 9th until approaching 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Cheeky Lad (9-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Ellerslie Tom 11-2 (11-0) Made all and mistakes, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf beating Aleron (11-4) by 6l, 12 ran.
Portavadie 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Estate (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Aug, 9 ran.
Glacial Sunset (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, no impression, 11th of 17, 13l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Irish Wolf (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and chased leader after 3 out, ran on well from last, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Rushneeyriver (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Aug.
Aleron (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In touch, went 2nd approaching 5th until after 3 out, kept on to go 2nd again last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Ellerslie Tom (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
Grave Doubts 40-1 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra, 11th of 16, well behind Rushneeyriver (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Aug.
Paddy The Piper (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up, mistake 4th, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off from 5th, 6th of 9, well behind Estate (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Aug.
Ball O Malt (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear when fell 5 out in race won by Far From Trouble (10-4) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Aug, 22 ran.
Star Member (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) Promienent, went 2nd 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened between final 2, 4th of 9, 14l behind Estate (10-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Aug.
Wiggy Smith 6-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 4th, driven 2 out, headed after last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Ken's Dream (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gf in Jul.
Creinch 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, took lead soon after 3 out, in command when blundered when rider lost iron last, driven out flat, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf beating Castleshane (11-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Crathorne (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened after, 9th of 16, 22l behind Rushneeyriver (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Aug.
Hilltime (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led after 4 out, pushed out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gd beating Cream Cracker (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Castleshane (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led, headed soon after 3 out, chasing winner when hung left and hit 2 out, soon no impression, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Creinch (10-13) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
