tended to jump right, raced freely, led and soon clear, reduced lead after 5th, hit 3 out, headed under pressure and weakened 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, headway going well to take narrow lead 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace run-in
chased leaders, challenge 2 out, led approaching last, came clear run-in
never going well, always in rear, tailed off 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway from 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, one pace run-in
held up in rear, never dangerous
chased clear leader, closed after 5th, challenged next, disputed lead from 3 out, weakened between last 2
Laustra Bad, Capitana and Bywell Beau look the three for the shortlist in a tricky finale and the vote goes to Laustra Bad. The selection won well when last seen at Cheltenham on ground that was quicker than ideal for him. He is a really progressive type and he looks a solid bet to make a winning return to action on his seasonal bow. Capitana returns to hurdles after disappointing over the bigger obstacles last time, but she does have the benefit of that recent run and she is better in this sphere. Bywell Beau has got some patchy form so he is hard to evaluate because if he is on a going day he is a capable performer. Missis Potts is best on quicker ground and looks opposable. All of which returns us to Laustra Bad as the one to be on.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 32l behind Clopf (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Laustra Bad (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Chased leader before last, led run-in, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Apr beating King's Revenge (11-4) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Capitana (GER) 15-2 (11-9) Held up, headway 5th, hit 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 10l behind Norma Hill (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
Amour Multiple (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, ridden and headed last, faded, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Kanad (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Missis Potts 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear last, pushed out, won at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr beating Sovietica (11-1) by 7l, 9 ran.
Master Mahogany 11-1 (10-10) Held up behind, hit 1st, blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Kings Quay (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd, 10 ran.
Gabier 12-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden 5th, outpaced from next, 7th of 11, 16l behind Wingman (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
European Dream (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Always in the rear, blundered 2nd, 11th of 12, 43l behind Gwanako (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Most Definitely (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on run-in, went 2nd last stride, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 12l behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Dunaskin (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Chased winner throughout, hit 4th, effort and every chance approaching last, unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Peacock (10-3) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
