in rear, blundered 2nd, closer order 6th, ridden after 7th, chased leaders 10th, chased winner from 3 out, close up last and no extra
tracked leaders, disputed lead 11th, ridden to lead next, not fluent last, just held on
led and keen, jumped right 8th, joined 11th, headed soon after, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, hung left flat, just denied
tracked leaders, lost place and reminders 2nd, weakened 10th, tailed off 4 out, struggled home
tracked leaders, weakened 8th, blundered 11th, tailed off and struggled home
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 10th, weakened 4 out
always in rear, lost touch 7th, pulled up before 10th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Evan Williams has obviously found the key to Harry Potter and has placed the gelding well to rack up his third consecutive victory this month; Kivitos and Midnight Gold are expected to be the main dangers out of the reminder, while Arm And A Leg also has claims on the best of his form if he is fit and ready for this return to action. The last named would be assisted by some give underfoot but, as a previous course and distance winner, he has to be respected. Midnight Gold is a consistent type that can be relied upon to give his all. However, he has been struggling with the handicapper lately and needs a touch of luck on his side these days. Kivitos comes here in great heart and could hardly have been more impressive when justifying favouritism at Southwell last month. Timmy Murphy gave the gelding a peach of a ride on that occasion and a bold bid again looks assured. However, Harry Potter has really got his act together well after intensive schooling sessions and, as a reformed character, he gets the vote while he is at the top of his game.
Kivotos (USA) 5-4fav (11-1) Held up, mistake 2nd, bumped 6th, headway 9th, ridden 13th, 2nd and 7 lengths down when left in lead last, pushed out, won at Southwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Jun beating High Rank (11-1) by 27l, 14 ran.
Midnight Gold 11-4fav (11-12) In touch, went 2nd 7th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, not quicken flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mill Bank (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Arm And A Leg (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 1st, lost place after 4th, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Killing Me Softly (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Bentyheath Lane 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division until weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Schinken Otto (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 12 ran.
Ilikehimmac (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, soon chased leaders, ridden 5 out & no extra, kept on one pace straight, 5th of 20, 46l behind Forest Leaves (10-11) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl gf in May.
William Butler (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Fine By Me (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in May, 10 ran.
Harry Potter (GER) 9-4 (11-2) Chased leader, led 6th, left clear 4 out, easily, won at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd beating Resplendent Star (10-10) by 17l, 5 ran.
Noble Colours 100-1 (10-7) Led until headed 3rd, blundered 8th, stayed prominent until 10th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Westmeath Flyer (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf, 9 ran.
