led, headed soon after 1st, tracked leader, led again approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on
close up in rear, ridden 2 out, not trouble leaders
close up, chased leader 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last when not fluent, driven out (all flights omitted in back straight due to low sun)
led soon after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
Donald McCain saddled the winner of this last year so Man Look, who won three times between May and October last year, shouldn’t be left out of calculations. Tiger Trek was only headed on the run-in last time at Market Rasen and has been knocking on the door. Stags Leap won at Cartmel last month but seem best at that track nowadays and has a 7lb rise to overcome. APTERIX hasn’t won over hurdles in more than two years but is thrown in on his best form and is a 140-rated chaser who could run riot here. Waltz Darling is a shadow of his former self.
Man Look 15-2 (12-2) Held up well in rear, not fluent 7th, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 8, 33 3/4l behind Notnow Seamus (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Waltz Darling (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked winner, lost place after 4 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Jump For Dough (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Apterix (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Mid-division, effort 5th, outpaced after 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Wells De Lune (11-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Tiger Trek (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, led 2nd, clear after next, driven and hard pressed between last 2, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind King Alfonso (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Aug.
Stags Leap (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, in touch 2nd, outpaced by front pair between last , rallied after last, led flat, driven out, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Lord Fendale (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
