Carrietau held up in touch, went 2nd 4th, led after 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven out
Midnight Diamond always prominent, led after 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, kept on flat
Temple Place held up and behind, headway approaching 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, one pace
Creinch held up and behind, steady on headway on inside approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, not much room on inside 2 out, one pace flat
The Rocking Dock prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened flat
Top Achiever held up in mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, hit last
Cat Six behind, ridden and some headway after 3 out, never dangerous
Silver Prophet always towards rear
Speed Venture prominent until weakened approaching 6th
Bayberry King always behind
Bret Maverick behind from 4th
Goldstar Dancer led until after 6th, weakened after 3 out
Analyis of the race
Several with something to prove in this handicap hurdle, but CARRIETAU had bounced back to form to win on heavy ground at Newcastle earlier in the month and defied a 7lb penalty even though this better ground and sharper track put the emphasis less on stamina.
Midnight Diamond did better than on his first run back over hurdles, leading after four out until after the next and rallying to regain second late on. But the waited-with Temple Place might well have beaten him had he not jumped thelast flight none too fluently - he was in second and possibly poised to challenge the winner at the time and this classy Flat racer looks to have the ability to win a handicap hurdle off his current mark.
The Rocking Dook was fairly treated on his return from more than a year off and weakened only on the run-in so is worth keeping in mind next time.
Top Achiever looked to be anchored by an 8lb rise for his Hereford success.
Tote
Tote Win: 8.9
Tote place (1): 2.1
Tote place (2): 4.5
Exacta: 88.2
CSF: 106.6
Total SP: 122
Further Information
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