in rear, some headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
led, headed approaching 3rd, tracked leaders, led again approaching 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on same pace
keen close up, blundered 2nd, led approaching next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up, pushed along and headway 2 out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd next, not trouble leaders
raced wide in touch, pushed along and headway 2 out, no impression after
tracked leader, led and not fluent 2 out, ridden out
in touch, headway 4 out, ridden to press winner 2 out, not fluent next, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon lost place
keen in touch, hit 2nd and soon in rear, not fluent 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out
keen close up, not fluent and lost place 6th, ridden next, tailed off
This looks much the stronger division and DIAMOND ROSE (NAP) is taken to return to winning ways. Successful at around this trip at Ludlow and Market Rasen, she failed to last out over 3m at Southwell on her hat-trick bid and this is her trip. Lochinver hadn't shown much before a much improved effort over 2m2f at Stratford where he stayed on strongly after leading at the last though a 9lb rise makes this tougher. Veiled Secret was in winning form in the spring and looked a likely future winner when runner-up on his return at Exeter but was very disappointing on softer ground at Uttoxeter. Methag has shown moderate form over hurdles but was beaten a short-head on the Flat at Nottingham last month and that will have put her spot-on for this.
Diamond Rose 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 9th, went 3rd from 2 out, no chance with winner, kept on, 3rd of 13, 8 3/4l behind Theatre Act (10-5) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Kilkeaskin Molly (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Well behind, headway on inside from 3 out, went 3rd flat, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 12, 5 3/4l behind Don Juan Du Gouet (12-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Arcadian Sea (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Akkapenko (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Lochinver (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, smooth headway approaching 2 out, 2nd going well between last 2, joined leader last, ridden to challenge run-in, stayed on to lead and assert towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Kilinakin (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Cosheston 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Lucky Lover Boy (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) gd in Apr.
Methag (FR) 14-1 (9-2) Close up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 6, shd behind Maid In Manhattan (10-2) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp fll (3) sft in Oct.
Veiled Secret (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, every chance 3 out, no extra before jumping right last, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Percy Thrower (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Meldrum Way (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 17, 34 1/4l behind Guardia Top (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Kalaskadesemilley 7-2 (10-8) Held up in last trio, ridden 4 out, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Troy Dee Knee 66-1 (10-12) Led, slow 1st, well clear 3rd, reduced lead next, headed 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Bbold (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gf in Sep.
