tracked leaders, tracked leader 7f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong
keen, tracked leader until 7f out, remained prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened well over 1f out
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden to take closer order 4f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden over 5f out, went 3rd 3f out, soon driven, lost 3rd place inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous
tracked leaders, lost place over 7f out
steadied start, pulled hard in rear, ridden, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
FACTOTUM is the selection in this maiden with Ignotus and Houghton the others to make some appeal. Factotum has had his chances in the past and doesn't look particularly well handicapped even if Bollin Felix's recent labours are taken into account. That said, this is a maiden race and his presence appears to have scared off the most meaningful opposition. Ignotus is infamous under National Hunt rules having earned Thomas Thompson a ban for his New Years Day horror show. A Grade 2 hurdler, he was out of his depth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle but the ground won't bother him here. Houghton seems to have plenty of time off between races. The visor smacks a little of desperation. Motarid didn't enjoy the clearest of passages at Pontefract last time out so be prepared to put the black marker through that form line. Harry Dunlop's team are not noted for first time out winners but Prophet's Star, who is a son of Daylami, is watched in the market. Raider Of The East once sold for 260 000gns at public auction but those days look long behind him and his bumper form don't exactly convince. Factotum should prove too good for his rivals today.
Factotum 3-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, pushed along over 6f out, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Bollin Felix (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Jul.
Hallys Goal (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Driven along, chased leaders, behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Shore Thing (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug, 8 ran (N.Hunt).
Ignotus 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 13th of 16, well behind Border Castle (9-13) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr (N.Hunt).
Dubai's Wonder (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Led early, remained prominent, ridden over 3f out, struggling over 2f out, 6th of 13, 8l behind Kiribati King (9-4) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Aug.
Houghton (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, ridden to go 3rd approaching final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Woodcutter (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Motarid (USA) 17-2 (8-5) In touch, ridden along when not much room and hampered over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 15, 7l behind Night Hour (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Prophet's Star Daylami gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Pound Sign.
Seconditis Spinning World colt out of a moderate racemare.
Princess Rainbow (FR) 50-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 6l behind Rio Guru (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn fll (5) pol in Aug.
Raider of The East (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up behind, good headway over 4f out, soon hung left, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 11l behind Rubys Cove (11-2) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun (N.Hunt).
