held up, reminders 5th, soon struggling
in touch, chased leader after 4 out, soon ridden, led after last, stayed on well
behind, struggling from 7th
held up, pushed along from halfway, never dangerous
held up mid-division, mistake 6th, struggling from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
chased clear leader until weakened after 4 out, soon weakened
led and soon clear, hit last, soon headed, weakened flat
chased leaders, pushed along and stumbled 6th, soon weakened
behind, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before next
held up and not fluent, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
It is hard to get away from SERGHEYEV who has shown improved form this term with a win at Newton Abbot and a good second at Market Rasen in his last two starts and Brendan Powell's gelding is taken to resume winning ways, getting the verdict ahead of Bobtante and Almond Court. The last mentioned stepped up on a promising first start over timber when chasing home Chernik at Hexham when last seen in May and she has to be considered if fit for her first start since then. Tim Easterby's Border Reiver showed some promise in bumpers but was well held on his hurdling debut, while Desert Stag has looked little better than moderate and would seemingly have place claims at best. George Moore's Keene Spirit has failed to progress form an opening success in a Sedgefield bumper and of more interest may be Howard Johnson's Bobtante, who is quickly put over hurdles following an encouraging debut in a bumper here in April. Serheyev had a disappointing campaign last term but has shown enough this season to suggest that he is the one they all have to beat here. (Nick Millard)
Bobtante (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, stayed on over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 36l behind Vivona Hill (10-9) at Wetherby 2m nhf gd in Apr.
Border Reiver 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, stayed on well, 5th of 15, 27l behind Doeslessthanme (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs.
Bridging Loan 200-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened from 6th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Massasoit (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft, 16 ran.
Calm Seas (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Not fluent, held up towards rear, reminders 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Diamond Harry (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Desert Stag 22-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 28l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Keene Spirit 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and faded flat, 4th of 14, 25l behind Door Boy (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Sergheyev 85-40 (10-12) Led, clear when mistake 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Nikos Extra (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Solar Rock (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, under pressure 6th, detached 9th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Virginia Preuil (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hdl (3) gf in May, 7 ran.
Almond Court (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 2 out, effort last, ridden and kept on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Chernik (11-0) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in May.
Lady Hazel (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Always behind when pulled up in race won by Dr Swanini (11-12) at Limerick 2m 6f mdn hdl gf in Jul, 18 ran.
Newsham Glory 66-1 (10-4) Always rear, 8th of 15, well behind Doeslessthanme (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs.
