tracked leader, led 9th, pushed clear 2 out, easy
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened soon after
led, mistake 3rd, headed 9th, plugged on
jumped left and nearly unseated rider 1st, rider lost irons, jumped right 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
keen, in touch, ridden and outpaced 8th, stayed on but hanging right from 3 out, took poor 3rd flat
held up, headway 3 out, chased leading pair 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 8th, ridden when hit 3 out, soon beaten
held up, ridden and weakened after 4 out
Winter Star gained due reward for some consistent efforts when staying on strongly to score at Uttoxeter and has been found a decent opportunity to follow up. Millards Lad could be the one for forecast punters unless there's marked support for Annaghbridge. Evan Williams has been making hay this summer but Winter Star had proved a little frustrating, finishing second on four consecutive occasions prior to that success. This is a weaker race and he can shrug off his penalty. Millards Lad is better known as a chaser but ran a fair race back over hurdles last time. That came over an inadequate two and a half miles and he will relish this stiffer test but it may still not be enough to see him lower the favourite's colours. Annaghbridge was beaten a long way in a bumper but has form between the flags and this sort of test should prove to be a suitable one for him on his hurdling bow; the market may tell us whether he has any ability. The remainder look up against it and Winter Star can shoot them down.
Winter Star 1-2fav (10-7) Held up in touch, led after 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, soon clear, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf beating Sumner (10-8) by 22l, 11 ran.
Annaghbridge (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders halfway, weakened 4f out, 9th of 12, well behind Midnight Haze (10-9) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Duggan's Forge (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 7th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Winter Star (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf.
Green Master (POL) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent and keen, not fluent 2nd, led 3rd until pulled up at the 5th in race won by Over Bridge (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in May '05, 15 ran.
Millards Lad (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, kept on to chase clear winner last, 2nd of 9, 15l behind Indian Pipe Dream (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Amazing Request 12-1 (10-0) Took keen hold early, held up, headway approaching 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 17l behind Rightful Ruler (11-4) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
April Attraction (FR) 14-1 (10-8) Always behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lenny The Blade (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Silverick Lady 200-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, behind when brought down at the 3rd in race won by Lets Get Busy (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
