chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd after 3 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, went right and led 3 out, clear when edged right after last, readily
held up, in rear, well beaten 3 out
held up, in 4th, outpaced 5th, weakened before 3 out
held up, closed 3rd, 3rd and ridden next, no impression on winner, one pace
led until 3 out, not fluent and no extra next
Nikki Steel's defeat at the hands of Barman and Magna Cartor at odds-on at Uttoxeter was disappointing as he had impressed when scoring at the same track on his first start for Dr Newland. However, the subsequent achievements of the winner that day now show the form in a brighter light and he has an obvious claim here, Nevertheless, Dan Skelton's Irish import, ALCOCK AND BROWN, has not taken long to adopt to his new discipline and scored cosily here on his second hurdling start earlier this month. A dual winner on the level for Andrew Oliver in Ireland, he seems sure to progress again and can come out on top in receipt of 2lb from the topweight in what looks a match on paper between the pair. Scarlet Minstrel and Indomitable Spirit, both winners on the Flat, are potentially interesting recruits to timber.
Nikki Steel (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led next, ridden and headed before last, soon beaten, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Barman (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Alcock And Brown (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gd in Jul beating Echo Brava (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Indomitable Spirit 33-1 (9-5) Raced alone stands' side, in touch with centre group, ridden and edged left 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Theydon Thunder (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Kovera (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 12, 37l behind Destiny's Gold (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Scarlet Minstrel 8-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway into 4th under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, lost modest 4th inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Boite (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp stks (3) sft in Jun.
Leighton Lass 6-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, challenged after 4 out, edged left after 2 out, no extra, 5th of 15, 22 1/4l behind Tir Dubh (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Ourniamheen (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden over 4f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, dist behind Hahnenkam (10-12) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Jun.
