held up, towards rear, pulled up before 5th
led, headed 10th, weakened before last
towards rear, headway from 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway before 9th, went 2nd before 2 out, weakened before last
held up, mid-division, headway 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on towards finish
tracked leader, joined leader 6th, led 10th, ridden before last, kept on
tracked leaders, in 4th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, every chance before last, kept on and held towards finish
in rear and mistakes, struggling from 6th, soon tailed off
This is the second of two races sponsored on today's card by Brian Ellison and the North Yorkshire handler has a fancied runner in VOLVALIEN, who is sure to improve for a first run for the yard when second at Huntingdon. Wolf Sword has finished runner-up twice in six starts over fences but hasn't raced since May. Hexham second Nefyn Bay is still creeping up the weights but Restraint of Trade can race off a lower mark than over fences and could be interesting if taking to the larger obstacles. Vital Evidence and Nine Altars have place claims again and Ascot De Bruyere is another to consider but Witness is having his first start since arriving from France.
Witness (FR) (10-12) won at Montlucon-Neris 2m 1f gd in Apr beating Veneaux Du Cochet (10-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Nine Altars (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-divsion, tracked leaders 4th, close up 3 out, every chance next, soon driven and one pace, no impression with front pair before last, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Makethedifference (10-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Restraint of Trade (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, led, clear until after 6th, headed and weakened after normal 2 out, 5th of 7, 27 1/2l behind Diamond Rock (10-8) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Wolf Sword (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, headway and in touch last, stayed on to chase winner final 100 yards, no impression, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind What Happens Now (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ascot De Bruyere (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-divison, lost place 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Justatenner (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Volvalien (FR) 3-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, closer in 4th at 5th, 3rd at 9th, chased winner 10th, chance when went left 2 out, soon no impression, mistake last, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Presenting Lisa (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Nefyn Bay 15-8fav (10-10) Led, ridden after last, kept on when hard pressed final 75 yards, headed final strides, 2nd of 4, hd behind Tickenwolf (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Vital Evidence (USA) 6-1 (11-9) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again before 5th, reminders after 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 10, 22l behind No Ceiling (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Downtown Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Jasani (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
