mid-division, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden and kept on
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened from next
held up, effort after 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on
keen early and led 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, headed next, weakening when blundered last
mid-division, unseated rider 2nd
led until headed 1st, tracked leaders, close up 3rd, ridden when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, hampered by loose horse, unseated rider 3rd
On what could be a good night for trainer Kevin Ryan, his Petrula is selected to come out on top over Arresting, Royal Glen and Mister Magnum to name but three. Petrula gained the last of his two successes over hurdles at Wetherby in November 2004, and since then has not been seen out much at all, having had just nine subsequent outings. He was campaigned on the Flat until returning from a small break in July, making most until headed at Uttoxeter when topping the handicap. The fact that he had to hump 11st 12lb round there has probably influenced his trainer's thinking, as he can at least race off levels here on this, his debut over fences. Irish raider Arresting appears to be the one to give him most to do. The ex-James Fanshawe inmate is another that has been creeping up the weights on the back of a decent spell over timber across the Irish Sea, and he too is sure to have been well schooled. Royal Glen always saved his best efforts for Hexham over the smaller obstacles, but at least lines up with winning form to his name, while Mister Magnum has had two outings over fences already but surely needs much further than two miles. Petrula is the pick.
Arresting 11-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway after 4 out, 4th after 2 out, no extra from last, 8th of 20, 6l behind Rory's Sister (9-12) at Galway 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-123 gd.
Gunson Hight 16-1 (11-8) Close up, led 4th until headed after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mags Two (11-11) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Jun, 12 ran.
Mister Magnum (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Risky Way (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Apr '05.
Petrula 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 27l behind Sun King (10-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led, headed when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, weakened, 5th of 10, 15l behind Kiwijimbo (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Ameras (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led, mistake and headed 4th, remained prominent until weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 23l behind Royaltea (10-7) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Mezereon 22-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 5th, soon behind, 7th of 10, well behind Palace Walk (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m beg chs (4) gf.
Royal Glen (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression when blundered last, 9th of 11, 29l behind Supply And Fix (10-4) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Copplestone (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, blundered badly and fell fell at the last in race won by Ballynure (10-0) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 8 ran.
