in touch in mid-division, closed before 5th, lost place when fell 3 out
prominent, not fluent 3rd, lost place 4 out, well beaten from 3 out
led until 5th, led next, headed 4 out, lost place 2 out
in touch in mid-division on outside, lost place 4th, closed 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 3 out, went 2nd and pecked 2 out, not much room and jinked left last, stayed on, led close home
held up towards rear, closed 5th, mistake 3 out, lost place 2 out
prominent, led 5th, headed next, led 4 out, ridden before last, headed close home
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway 6th, outpaced after 8th, effort before 3 out, hung left before not fluent last, 3rd and held flat, stayed on
The first of several decent handicaps on today’s card. Hatcher has been showing signs of life again lately but finished behind Espion Du Chenet at Warwick two runs ago. Sir Tivo has struggled in this grade in the past and Bathiva looks high enough in the weights returning to action but Al Zaraqaan is 2-2 over fences and still has some scope. NOAHTHIRTYTWORED finished ahead of Give Me A Moment at Worcester in May. He fell when favourite at Southwell next time but made amends at Newton Abbot last month and is effectively a pound lower here taking into account Conor Rabbitt’s claim. The Greek is still improving so can’t be ignored, despite a further rise in the weights.
The Greek (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, took closer order from halfway, progress to dispute lead from 3 out and led before next, ridden run-in and kept on best close home, won at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jun beating The Dara Man (11-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bathiva (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Raced keenly, chased leaders, not much room 1st, not fluent 2nd, led 4th, headed after 8th, weakened 3 out, lost 3rd last, 4th of 7, 20 1/2l behind Clear The Runway (11-6) at Worcester 2m hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Give Me A Moment (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Led, hung left after 2 out, joined last, soon headed, no extra and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Raffle Ticket (11-10) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Last pair, not fluent 3rd, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Light N Strike (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gf in May.
Al Zaraqaan 11-10fav (11-10) Jumped well, tracked leader, led going well before 3 out, in no danger after, won at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Donnie Azoff (10-9) by 2l, 2 ran.
Hatcher (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Close up in 4th, not fluent 2nd, closed 4 out, left 2nd soon after, ridden to lead last when landed awkwardly and rider lost iron, headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Quoi De Neuf (11-13) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Sir Tivo (FR) 3-1 (12-2) Pressed leader until 3rd, stayed 2nd, led before 3 out, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in May beating Sea Prince (11-13) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Noahthirtytwored (IRE) 2-1fav (10-7) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway after 4 out, went 2nd home turn, ridden and switched right to challenge after 2 out, led just after last, stayed on, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Light N Strike (12-0) by 4 1/4l, 7 ran.
