made all, clear approaching 2 out
held up, blundered 2nd, quickly pulled up
held up in touch, hampered 9th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, one pace from last
tracked leaders, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
tracked winner, hit 5th, hit 7th, reminders approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, hampered 9th, good headway after 5 out, soon chasing leaders, quickly faltered after 4 out, soon pulled up
Nonrunner
A good race here named in honour of the local trainer who handled the legendary Red Rum, and while there may be no Grand National winner among this lot, it looks very competitive, with EVELITH ECHO just getting the verdict. John Quinn has his string in great form under both codes and Evelith Echo has been part of that, winning two of his last five and being runner-up in the other three. That has seen his handicap mark gradually nudge upwards and this will be plenty tough enough. However, he jumps very well, races over his optimum trip here and acts on fast ground, so we will give him the nod. Striking Article looks a serious threat. He won easily over course and distance in a two-horse affair in the spring before falling at Sedgefield when last seen in April. His strike rate is superb, as is the form of the yard, though he does still have to prove he handles ground this quick. Safari Adventures has not yet won on ground quicker than good, nor proved that he stays this far, though pedigree suggests that is not out of the question, and the going is not an issue for him. Tom's Toybox has conditions to suit but has stamina to prove and has a plenty high-enough mark, and the latter applies to Marrel. Evelith Echo is the suggestion.
Striking Article (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Led, headed 7th, chasing leader when fell 4 out, in a race won by Role On (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov stks (4) gf in Apr, 9 ran.
Tom's Toybox 14-1 (10-13) In rear, blundered 2nd, losing touch approaching 7th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Histoire De Moeurs (9-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Jul.
Evelith Echo 5-1fav (11-5) In touch, chased winner after 3 out, jumped left and bumped 2 out, every chance when jumped left last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Gaelic Flight (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Or de Grugy (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 25l behind Kells Castle (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Marrel 10-1 (11-0) Held up, behind when not fluent 8th, tailed off, 9th of 10, 47l behind Gaelic Flight (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Kells Castle (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, reminders after 7th, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 11, 21l behind Oscar Glory (10-13) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Divex (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden after 4 out, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 10, 19l behind Thai Vango (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 6-5fav (11-9) Led, headed 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, hit last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind The Duke's Speech (11-11) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
