mid-division, not fluent and unseated rider 3rd
led, headed 11th, 3rd and held when blundered 2 out
in rear, hampered 4th, no chance 10th, blundered badly 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, blundered 2nd, mistake 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 10th
in touch, led 11th, clear approaching 2 out, driven out
mid-division, headway 8th, struggling 11th
in rear, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 11th, chased winner approaching 2 out, closed approaching last, no impression flat
held up, never dangerous
prominent, hampered by loose horse and brought down 4th
held up, hampered 4th, headway next, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, hampered 4th, headway when hit 9th, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
pressed leader, tended to jump right, jumped slowly 10th, soon weakened, tailed off
STONERIGGS MERC seems to have obvious claims in the last after a good run last time and with the step down in trip looking a plus Tim Vaughan's runner is given our vote ahead of Rookery Lad and Pas De Baratin. The pick was only headed late on during his return from a break last time when taking on a big stamina test in heavy conditions. He still looks to be treated fairly after a three pound mark rise as he remains weighted under his last winning rating. Rookery Lad was always held despite chasing down the winner in a selling handicap last time. This extra yardage should bring about more but he's got a bit to prove under this load. Pas De Baratin has it to do with the selection on several lines of form.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 3-1fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, not fluent last, led soon after, clear over 1f out, weakened quickly, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Getinbybutonlyjust (11-5) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (4) hvy in Aug.
Pipers Legend 12-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, under pressure 10th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 11, 31l behind Milesian King (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Chevaux Loco (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Shanahan (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (4) gd in Aug, 11 ran.
Pas De Baratin (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 15, 15l behind Sarahs Gift (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
Thenameescapesme 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 13th, ridden when mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Kavi (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Sep.
Rookery Lad 12-1 (11-9) Behind, went 3rd approaching 2 out, chased winner last, kept on, always well held, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Good Old Days (11-11) at Hereford 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf in Sep.
Cooldine Lad (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Always in rear, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Woody Valentine (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Daramoon (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden and chased leader approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Phoenix Des Mottes (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f 4yo mdn stks (5) gd in Aug '08.
Fencote Mystery 18-1 (11-0) With leaders, lost place 5 out, weakened and pulled up before next, in a race won by House Of Bourbon (10-7) at Southwell 3m 2f mdn chs (4) gd in Jul, 11 ran.
Quondor Noire (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Ajzal (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
King Diamond (FR) 6-1 (10-1) Held up, improved 8th, ridden to go 3rd 3 out, weakening when blundered badly last, 7th of 8, well behind King Cyrus (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Secret Cavern (USA) 15-2 (10-9) Behind when fell 10th, in a race won by Good Old Days (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Sep, 10 ran.
Scotch Corner (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) In touch, went 2nd from 6th, in 3rd and chasing leaders when weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Good Old Days (11-11) at Hereford 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf in Sep, 13 ran.
