prominent, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, challenged 2 out, every chance flat, soon bumped and carried right, no impression on winner after, kept on
led, hard pressed from 2 out, headed and hampered flat, no impression on winner after, kept on to hold 2nd
held up in mid-division, pushed along and lost place 3rd, well beaten after 4 out, tailed off
pitched on landing and unseated rider 1st
held up in rear, hit 4th, never dangerous, well held 8th when fell last
held up rear of mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and not quicken after 2 out, stayed on same pace last
chased leaders, slow 4th, lost place soon after, well beaten after 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, closed 4th, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace from after 2 out
slightly hampered 1st, always behind, tailed off before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd after next, closed last, led flat, edged right and ran green but quickened up smartly to assert
prominent, not fluent 4 out, lost place next, tailed off
This maiden has produced some useful hurdlers down the years. Plenty of these have experience over timber and others bring useful bumper form to the table. Sebastopol is among that latter group, beating a previous winner on his debut under Rules at Ayr in April. Thomas Darby was well backed when making a winning start at Huntingdon a month later but so was SEVEN DE BAUNE (NAP) at Uttoxeter. Never off the bridle, Ian Williams’ charge looked a smart prospect that day and should have no problem switching to hurdles. Elixir De Nutz had every chance when falling at the last at Uttoxeter in May in a race that’s worked out well so also enters calculations and he may have more scope than former stablemate Bang On Frankie. Jockey bookings would suggest Amoola Gold is the pick of Dan Skelton’s two runners while Some Day Soon should run his race again.
Amoola Gold (GER) 5-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon lost place, 5th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Net De Treve (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Bang On Frankie (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort 4 out, led next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Western Ryder (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, every chance when fell last, at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Falcon Sun (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up tracking leaders on outside, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 6th of 7, dist behind Mister Chow (11-9) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Lunar Jet 14-1 (9-8) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 5 3/4l behind Shabbah (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Primal Focus (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, closed before 2nd, lost place 4 out, well held after, 5th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Rocco (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Sebastopol (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 10f out, led over 2f out, ran on well, readily, won at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr beating Black Pirate (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 15 ran.
Secret Melody 33-1 (11-7) Held up rear of mid-division, well held before 2 out, 9th when fell last, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Seven De Baune (FR) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up, closed on inside 8f out, led going well 3f out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m (5) gd in May beating Eyehaveagoodidea (11-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
Some Day Soon (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and strong challenge near finish, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Val Mome (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Tamayef (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always last, hit 3rd, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, last of 4, 32 1/2l behind Apple's Shakira (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up, closed on outside 5f out, switched left inside 2f out, led over 1f out, soon edged right, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in May beating Black Kalanisi (11-4) by 2l, 8 ran.
World War (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 11l behind Genetics (9-2) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
