mid-division, reminder after 5th, headway after 6th, mistake 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd when hit 2 out, one pace
held towards rear, took keen hold, reminder after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 5th, chased winner after 3 out, challenged 2 out, mistake last, held flat
chased leaders until after 5th, tailed off
in rear, blundered 2nd, mistake next, soon tailed off, pulled up before 5th
led unitl after 2nd, weakened after 6th, mistake 3 out, pulled up after
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led before 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden out
took keen hold, led after 2nd, headed before 3 out, weakened after 3 out
RED MERCURY was no great shakes on the Flat but had the more experienced Reach Out and Fine Style behind when making a winning debut over hurdles at Market Rasen. Life will be tougher from now on under a penalty, but he may just have enough scope to follow up here. Freedom Flyer won on Fibresand on the level but was a beaten favourite in a claimer over C&D on his debut over timber when Xenophon was a well-beaten third. Alfraamsey won a couple of times on the Flat but was basically a sprinter and he may have trouble lasting home, even on this sharp track.
Red Mercury (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, hampered next, headway 4th, carried left last, led flat, just held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Royal Bonsai (10-12) by ns, 12 ran.
Alfraamsey 9-1 (9-4) In touch in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 6, 5l behind Dotty Darroch (9-0) at Hamilton 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Jun (flat).
Bobby Dazzler (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 2nd, tailed off 6th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Arctic Reach (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo clm hdl (5) gd in Jun, 9 ran.
Copper Canyon 6-4fav (8-9) Chased leading pair, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression when lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Ivan Vasilevich (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec (flat).
Fine Style (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) In touch in mid-division, headway approaching 2nd, went 2nd 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 10l behind Red Mercury (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Freedom Flyer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Led and soon clear, mistake 4th, not fluent 6th, reduced lead after 3 out, headed when not fluent next, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Arctic Reach (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo clm hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Henry Bond 200-1 (8-12) Led until 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, 37l behind Specific Gravity (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct (flat).
Reach Out 10-1 (10-12) Went left and not always fluent, made most until flat, held close home, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Red Mercury (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Xenophon 50-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, close up in 5th, ridden before 6th, soon outpaced, 4th 3 out, rallied to modest 3rd before last, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Arctic Reach (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo clm hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Kissing Clara (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Not fluent 1st, always towards rear and never on terms, disputing poor 5th when blundered 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Arctic Reach (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo clm hdl (5) gd in Jun.
