tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, raced keenly, ridden 3 out, weakened from 2 out
always behind
led, hit 4 out, reminders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching and hit last, one pace flat
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 3rd, soon behind, effort 6th, ridden 3 out, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on to lead approaching last, driven out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear
held up, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
Aliba is taken to open his account over timber, with Or de Grugy, Beau Saddler, The Hollow Bottom and Newton Bridge the other main protagonists. Aliba was never tried over further than a mile on the Flat, but has shown enough stamina to suggest that he should be followed to win a race of this nature. His staying on third over 18-furlongs at Market Rasen last time indicates that he will relish the longer journey here, and he gets a cautionary vote. Or de Grugy has more to do now than when landing a maiden over the course-and-distance back in May, and although he will improve for the run, is worth taking on here. Beau Saddler in contrast ran out of steam when tried over three miles round here last time, and will benefit from the drop back in trip, while The Hollow Bottom is dangerous to rule out despite his absence, given his trainer's record round here. Newton Bridge has won over this trip before, and is not coming over from Ireland just for the day out, so is another to consider. Aliba is less exposed than most though, and is the selection.
The Hollow Bottom 14-1 (11-11) Led and keen, weakening when not much room 7th, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by River Ripples (10-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 5-4fav (11-2) Always prominent, effort 2 out, driven and ran on well to lead flat, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in May beating Save the Bacon (11-2) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Flying Doctor 6-1 (11-5) Held up, weakened 2 out, 9th of 10, 37l behind Hello It's Me (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Beau Saddler 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden approaching and hit 2 out, gradually weakened, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Canadian Sunset (10-12) at Perth 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Newton Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 7th 6 out, 5th 3 out, headway into moderate 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression, no extra after last, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Tory Hill Lad (11-7) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 gs in Aug.
Aliba (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, hung right approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Summer Lodge (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Humourous (IRE) 4-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Southern Bazaar (9-8) at Cartmel 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Seeking Straight (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) In touch to halfway, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Brickies Mate (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr, 12 ran.
Spivitus 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 7th, tailed off from 2 out, 12th of 15, well behind Levitski (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Drumossie (AUS) 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Charlie George (9-7) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Aug.
Wide As Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, progress into moderate 3rd 5 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 18, 8l behind Skip Two (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f hacp hdl gf.
