mid-division, pushed along and outpaced home turn, weakened 3 out
made all, mistake 3 out when clear, in control last, ran on well flat, comfortably
mid-division, ridden to go 2nd home turn, could not go pace of leader from 3 out, plugged on
prominent, struggling and dropped to rear home turn, tailed off
in, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5 out, struggling from 4 out, plugged on from 2 out
held up, took keen hold, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, plugged on from 2 out in distant 3rd
A bad blunder at Plumpton put paid to the chances of SLATE HOUSE (NAP) landing a hat-trick. But Joe Tizzard’s charge had landed a course and distance double before that and can get back to winning ways on his return. Mercian Prince won this off today’s mark last year though was well beaten behind Romanor when the latter scored at Newton Abbot in August. The latter has won again at the same track subsequently and is 7lb higher for this while Runswick Bay won at Ludlow when last in action just over a year ago. Balko Saint is unexposed over fences but Gortroe Joe hasn’t won a chase for some time now.
Slate House (IRE) 11-4fav (11-13) Disputed lead from 2nd, headed 10th, close up when bad mistake 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened quickly, tailed off before 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Tamaroc Du Mathan (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Led, untidy 8th, reduced advantage 6 out, joined over 4 out, pushed along and momentarily regained lead 3 out, soon driven, headed again approaching 2 out, weakened closing stages, 5th of 6, 11 1/2l behind Galopin De Balme (10-5) at Compiegne 2m 3f lst hvy in Sep.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, ridden before 2 out and weakened, last of 4, 26 1/4l behind Neville's Cross (12-0) at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gd in May.
Balko Saint (FR) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leader early, took keen hold, led 3rd, shaken up approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 before 2 out, soon no extra, weakened, last of 3, 10 1/4l behind Ultimate Getaway (11-0) at Ludlow 3m (3) gd in May.
Runswick Bay 5-2 (10-7) Held up, mistake 1st, bad mistake and saddle looked to slip briefly 3rd, not fluent 9th (water), closed 10th, challenged 2 out, led before jumping left and very awkward last, stayed on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Crealion (10-7) by 3l, 5 ran.
Romanor 11-8jfav (10-7) In rear, in touch, tracked leaders 8th, good jump and led 4 out, ridden after 2 out and drew clear, in command and eased run-in, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Coal Stock (10-13) by 12l, 4 ran.
