led, headed 2 out, ridden to regain lead after last, driven out
towards rear and pushed along, soon mid-division, hard ridden 2 out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, always held (saddle slipped)
mid-division, struggling 6f out, no impression from next
towards rear, headway approaching 5 out, went 2nd after last until flat, no extra
in rear and soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
always towards rear, pushed along halfway, pulled up before 4 out
held up mid-division, lost place 9th
chased leaders, weakened 10th, behind when blundered 13th, tailed off and pulled up after 5 out
with winner, in 3rd when blundered 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up, weakened approaching 6 out, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, hit last, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
Clemax could be hard to peg back if allowed an easy lead but he hasn't been in great form of late and we prefer the claims of Ross Comm and Manoubi with Sue Smith's veteran the pick. The selection hasn't won since 2006 but he has run well enough on occasion to suggest that he's capable of taking advantage of his declining mark. He has only had four starts since finishing third here in May last year and, although he hasn't set the world alight, he looks capable of playing a leading role here. Lydon House clearly merits respect and has run well enough fresh in the past for the absence not to be a concern but he does have questions to answer if the ground remains on the fast side. Manoubi returned a beaten favourite behind Innisfree in last year's renewal but he's on an 11lb lower mark this term and has a chance to set the record straight. Clemax stays well and is capable on his day whilst Return Home also has ability but this trip stretches his stamina to the limit and he may not get home. The distance is of no concern to Ross Comm and the veteran is taken to recapture his form.
Clemax (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden 12th, soon beaten, 10th of 18, 37l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-6) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Lydon House 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway and in touch 13th, went 2nd 4 out until mistake 3 out, kept on to regain 2nd flat, 2nd of 18, 6l behind Laertes (11-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Darina's Boy 11-2 (11-1) Led to 4th, led again 5th, headed approaching 10th, jumped right 14th, led after 2 out, stayed on under pressure to draw clear flat, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Liverpool Echo (11-2) by 7l, 9 ran.
Ross Comm 9-1 (10-3) Held up behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 17l behind Oniz Tiptoes (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Mister Friday (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) In rear in last pair, jumped slowly 10th, ridden after 13th, no chance from next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Harlov (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May, 10 ran.
Manoubi 66-1 (11-2) Always behind, 7th of 13, 39l behind Apollo Creed (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
Public Esteem (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Vital Spark (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Thorsgill 16-1 (11-7) Led 7th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 38l behind Brave Jo (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Innisfree (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bauhaus (11-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 15 ran.
Fort Ord (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division until behind 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Bauhaus (11-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 15 ran.
Keltic Lord 3-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 13th, poor 4th when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Nellerie (11-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Return Home 7-2 (9-11) Held up when blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by No Complaint (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 5 ran.
Sungates (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 14th, soon beaten, 5th of 12, 31l behind Sea Wall (11-8) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
