led, mistake 4th and next, blundered 7th, headed after 3 out, ridden and no chance with winner between last 2, mistake last
hit 1st, tracked leader, ridden and effort when not fluent 3 out, soon no impression, 3rd and well held next
tracked leaders, outpaced 8th, soon no chance with leading trio, tailed off 3 out
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, headway to chllange on inside after 4 out, led after next, ridden clear after next, very easily
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
SUNDAY CITY won this last year under Jamie Moore off a 2lb higher mark and, though no longer in the full flush of youth, looked to be on the way back at Stratford last time. He can stage a repeat with recent hurdles winner Grand Lahou not easy to predict nowadays and looking held by Mibleu on their run together at Newton Abbot last August. Stratford winner City Ground still has plenty of scope over fences, however, and can't be ignored while Bhaltair only found Quite The Man too good at Perth on his latest start and appears to be running back into form.
Grand Lahou (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Made all, mistake 4th, drew clear approaching last, hard ridden all out, won at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Tindaro (11-5) by 13l, 9 ran.
Sunday City (JPN) 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, led and blundered 3 out, headed after next, jumped right at last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Nobunaga (10-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Mibleu (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Chased leading pair until 8th, no chance after, trying to close for modest 3rd again when blundered last, 4th of 8, 42l behind Marodima (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Bhaltair (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Quite The Man (11-10) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in May.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway to lead 12th, ridden and headed 3 out, plugged on same pace, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Plunkett (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in May.
City Ground (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, steady headway 10th, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd before last, driven to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Stratford 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Mon Chevalier (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
