chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
behind, headway approaching 4th, ridden and one pace from 2 out
always towards rear
chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, chased winner when not fluent 2 out, hit last, stayed on
always towards rear
in touch, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened
prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
mid-division, blundered 2nd, weakened approaching 4th
mid-division, headway 3rd, led approaching 3 out, pushed clear 2 out, ran on
led, clear until headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Upright Ima may come out on top at the expense of Robbie Can Can, Walton Way and General Smith in a hard one to call. Upright Ima took 21 attempts to open her account, but did so convincingly in a lady riders' race at Warwick in March, and Pam Sly's mare has shown enough in two starts this term to suggest that she can score again. Beaten a whisker in the final of that ladies series at Wetherby in June, she has been rested with an autumn campaign in mind and lines up fresher than most. Robbie Can Can won on the Flat at Chepstow in June and has also had a break. He had a tendency to find one or two too good over hurdles last year but has a race in him. Walton Way won a weak contest at Worcester 12 days ago but is weighted accordingly and may be involved, while General Smith has a claimer on to offset his big weight. Murphy's Nails hails from a yard that should be noted around here, but at the age of nine has little improvement, and for the winner we return to Upright Ima.
General Smith 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, driven along 5th, headway after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 13, 6l behind Lahib The Fifth (11-10) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
Ice Melted (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 9th, soon weakened, 10th of 11, well behind Nounou (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Pilca (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent until weakened 9th, last of 6, well behind First De La Brunie (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy in Mar.
Robbie Can Can 15-8fav (11-5) Held up, ridden when left 4th 3 out, took moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Imperial Royale (11-1) at Leicester 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Upright Ima 3-1fav (9-10) Mid-division and inside, hit 5th, headway to chase winner 4 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Master Nimbus (10-4) at Wetherby 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, hit 3 out, one pace, no impression, 4th of 9, 12l behind Black Rainbow (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Murphy's Nails (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent to 5th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 23l behind Najca De Thaix (11-9) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Walton Way 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until lost place approaching 3rd, still 10 lengths down 2 out, stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Sept beating Brave Jo (9-11) by a nk, 12 ran.
