prominent in chasing group, jumped big 5th, ridden after 3 out, no impression on winnner after 2 out, one pace
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 5th, driven in 3rd before 2 out, no impression on winner, one pace
mid-division, lost place when not fluent 4th, well beaten when not fluent 3 out, pulled up before last
led, soon clear, not fluent 3 out, headed after 3 out, weakened next
chased leader until after 2nd, hampered 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon led, jumped right and not fluent 2 out, soon clear, jumped right last, easily
held up in rear, headway 2nd, lost place after 5th, weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, modest 5th 3 out, never in contention and well beaten before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten 3 out, went remote 4th flat
held up, took keen hold, headway to chase leader before 3rd, fell 5th
GOLD CHAIN is running well and was only beaten a neck at Kelso last week. She represents the same trainer/jockey combination that won this 12 months ago so has obvious claims. Gurkha Brave arrives off the back of a maiden hurdle victory at Worcester and Blue Ridge Lane won over course and distance earlier this month. Goal is starting to look well treated but Amilliontimes may struggle to confirm recent running with Dynamic Drive on worse terms and connections of Little Pop would have preferred more rain. Brave Spartacus is unlikely to have the speed for this.
Gurkha Brave (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, jumped right 1st, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged next, led flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul beating Dr Dalwhinny (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Goal (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Soon mid-division, 9th approaching straight, soon tight for room and stumbled, switched right to outer 3 out, 8th 2 out, kept on without threatening from before last, 4th of 12, 9l behind Coldstonesober (11-2) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd.
Blue Ridge Lane (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Always prominent, led after 3 out, mistake next, clear last, ran on strongly, won at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd beating Catchthemoonlight (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
Little Pop 5-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly after 3 out, poor 7th when blundered 2 out, 9th of 12, 46l behind Nesterenko (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Gold Chain (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, upsides 2 out, ridden last, kept on and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Satanic Beat (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up behind, tracked leaders approaching 4th, outpaced after 3 out, no chance with front pair in clear 3rd before next, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Factor Fifty (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Dynamic Drive (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, took keen hold, closed before 5th, challenged on stands side from 2 out, ridden and every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Amilliontimes (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Funky Munky 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon headway one pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 7l behind Indepub (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Arabian Heights 22-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened after 2 out, last of 6, 35l behind Vengeur De Guye (10-7) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Amilliontimes (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leader, led 2 out, soon ridden, hard pressed flat, stayed on gamely, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd beating Dynamic Drive (10-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Travis County (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) With leader and jumped mainly right throughout, led 3rd, mistake 4th, headed 3 out, one pace in 3rd when mistake last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Pindar (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m hcp 0-100 (5) gd.