led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened 7th, tailed off
tracked leader until 7th, weakened 3 out
well behind from 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
hampered start, held up, headway when mistake 8th, no impression
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden after 6th, weakened next, well behind when pulled up before 8th
reluctant to jump off, held up, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 7th, well behind when mistake 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, stumbled slightly 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, came clear flat, comfortably
held up, ridden approaching 6th, weakened after 7th, behind when not fluent 3 out
reluctant to jump off, soon tailed off, pulled up before 8th
Lilac, Cannon Fire and Lawyer Des Ormeaux are the trio most likely to lead them home here and the vote is given to Lilac. The selection won in emphatic fashion last time at Uttoxeter when beating Qualitair Pleasure. She has risen in the weights as a consequence but the manner of her success suggests she is still ahead of the handicapper and she looks set for a big run. Cannon Fire is a consistent sort and he put in another game effort last time when second behind Tommy Spar at Worcester. However, his consistency has seen him rise in the weights and on these terms he may just find one too good. Lawyer Des Ormeaux is lightly-raced and he showed plenty of promise on his handicap debut last time when third behind Herne Bay. He is respected but the suspicion is that he may be better over further and for that reason he is taken on. Xaipete is a course and distance winner and he is another with place claims, but for the winner we will stick with Lilac.
Dream Castle (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 14l behind Travel (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Jun.
Tomenoso 12-1 (11-12) Led, hit 6th, hung right, reminders bend after 7th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when hit last, 3rd of 11, 19l behind Downing Street (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Lawyer Des Ormeaux (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Herne Bay (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
Reservoir (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, reminders after 4th, mistake 5th, weakened next, 11th of 15, 20l behind Imperial Rocket (10-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf.
Manoubi 5-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 4th, outpaced after 8th, never on terms after, 4th of 10, 10l behind Salinas (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (E) gf.
Cannon Fire (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 7th, went 2nd 2 out, hard ridden and led briefly flat, not quicken, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Tommy Spar (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf.
Lilac 20-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead when hit 2 out, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (E) gs beating Qualitair Pleasure (10-9) by 12l, 13 ran.
Bolshoi Ballet 9-1 (10-11) In touch, took closer order after 4th, outpaced next, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Figaro du Rocher (10-11) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
