led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on until no extra flat
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up, headway on outside 3 out, ridden and kept on until next
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression approaching last
held up behind, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never nearer
in touch, lost place 7th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened next
always behind
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon ridden, led next, drew clear flat
always behind
always towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
with leader, led 3rd to 5th, ridden 3 out, soon lost place, weakened next
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, ridden and staying on same pace when hit last
Oniz Tiptoes can get the better of Arafan, Brinksmanship and Pips Assertive Way. Quite a few of these can be fancied in what looks an open affair, but with Richard Tierney able to claim 7lb, Oniz Tiptoes makes most appeal. John Wainwright's six-year-old was successful twice over fences during the summer, and lines up fit from a spin on the Flat recently. Better treated over hurdles than fences, he should go close. Arafan is still a maiden, but has gone close on each of his last two outings, and will at least benefit from this slight drop back in trip, while Brinkmanship has a course-and-distance victory to his name, but may find conditions a bit too fast. Pips Assertive Way lurks further down the weights, and is worth a second glance over today's trip, but the pin comes down on Oniz Tiptoes.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led to 3rd, tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and staying on same pace when left 2nd last, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Urban (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Arafan (IRE) 6-4fav (10-7) Led until after 8th, led again approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Armenian Boy (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Brinkmanship (USA) 6-5fav (10-13) In touch, headway approaching 8th, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when hit last, 5th of 14, 6l behind Fondness (9-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Phoenix Eye 5-2fav (10-13) Behind, headway 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd last, no chance with 1st 2, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Border Tale (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Cockspur (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 3rd, ridden when mistake 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, one pace flat, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Mr Ex (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Gus 20-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, 5th approaching last, rallied last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Brinkmanship (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Meadow Hawk (USA) 14-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sun King (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Pips Assertive Way 12-1 (10-2) With leader, led after 3 out, hit 2 out, soon headed, one pace, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Le Corvee (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
