with leader, pushed along and hit 4 out, soon weakened
led, headed after 3rd, pushed along and reminders 5th, kept on from last, always held
held up in rear, pushed along after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 3rd after 4 out, in 3rd and held when hit 2 out
tracked leaders, led after 3rd, blundered 4 out, clear 3 out, ridden and rider dropped whip flat, held on well
An interesting contest, where RIPTIDE is just preferred to Tillietudlum, while there is definitely interest among the other quartet. The selection is 3lbs better off with Tillietudlum than if this were a handicap, and the gelding was in impressive wide margin Fontwell winner over further than this last month. He probably ran equally as well when runner-up at Cheltenham when stepped up a little in class last time, and pedigree suggests that he will relish this softer ground, so we will side with him. Tillietudlum will take a bit of beating, but has to concede 4lbs to the selection. Jim Goldie's gelding chases a hat-trick across three countries after victories at Bangor and Perth, both over similar trips. The manner of the latter success suggests that there may well be more to come and he is feared. Royal Premium has plenty to find judged on flat form, where Kudu Country was a stone or so better, and given that Tom Tate's gelding likes this ground he may well be able to get involved at the business end. Bachelor Days is related to numerous winners and the yard can get them ready first-time, so check out the market for clues, but Riptide is the suggestion.
Tillietudlem (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Made most, ridden and under pressure approaching last, kept on well flat, won at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Alazan (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Riptide 12-1 (11-2) Raced in 3rd after jumping left 1st and 2nd, reminder after next, relegated to last before 2 out, went 2nd just after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Barizan (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Bachelor Days (IRE) Bachelor Duke gelding out of Anchorage.
Beidh Tine Anseo (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 13l behind Tillietudlem (11-5) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Kudu Country (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 4l behind Acquisition (8-12) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Sep (flat).
Royal Premium 10-1 (8-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 11l behind Social Rhythm (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct (flat).
