took keen hold, led after 1st, made rest, ridden approaching last, driven out, held on
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, struggling after 4th, tailed off
held up in touch, mistake 3rd, soon lost place, rallied after 4th, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on well to go 2nd flat, not able to reach winner
not fluent, always behind, lost touch after 4th, tailed off
mid-division, took keen hold, headway 4th, ridden well before last, 4th and weakening when fell last
led until after 1st, prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching last
mid-division, pushed along and headway after 4th, no impression and soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, chased winner from 2nd, ridden when not fluent last, no impression and lost 2nd flat
held up in touch, took keen hold, ridden after 4th, weakened well before last, tailed off
held up in rear, some headway approaching last, never on terms, no impression
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, soon ridden, weakened after 4th, tailed off
BLENHEIM BROOK gets the nod ahead of Noble Scholar. Lucinda Russell's gelding was a winner between the flags before three starts under rules. His best effort came on testing ground at the track and although this trip looks on the short side he is fancied to run well. Borderhopper looks one for another day after such a long absence, and a bigger threat might be Ceaser's Return who shaped with more promise at Wetherby last month. Kvarner Riviera needs a market check on his hurdling bow, Lackamon has more experience to draw on and did win his bumper here, whilst Noble Scholar is closely linked with the selection on their run at Carlisle last time. He is another who is proven here and looks a major player if handling this softer ground. Shooting Times looks the best of the rest.
Blenheim Brook (IRE) 10-3fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 17, 19l behind Yurok (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Borderhopper 200-1 (11-0) Not fluent, always in rear, tailed off after 5th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bouggler (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr '09, 17 ran.
Ceasar's Return 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, in rear from 5th, pushed along 4 out, in 6th and some headway before 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 15l behind Icy Colt (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
King Puc 50-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, weakened over 4f out, 14th of 15, well behind Birch Hill Bedouin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct '09.
Kvarner Riviera (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 14th of 15, well behind Lively Baron (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Lackamon 22-1 (10-12) Led and keen, headed approaching 6th, with leader when blundered 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Icy Colt (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Monsoon Music (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, tailed off 3 out, 13th of 15, well behind Solway Sam (11-0) at Perth 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Noble Scholar (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon every chance, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 16l behind Yurok (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Pagan Lightning (USA) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, soon behind and struggling, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Maska Pony (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Shooting Times 33-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Pure Faith (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs, 12 ran.
Some Catch (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 8th 6 out, fell 4 out, in a race won by Sweet My Lord (11-7) at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Apr, 15 ran.
