chased leaders, ridden approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
held up, ridden 4 out, weakened from last
mid-division, struggling from halfway
held up, pushed along approaching 7th, tailed off from 13th, pulled up next
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner after last, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, led approaching 13th, hit 13th, soon headed, behind when blundered last, one pace after
led, headed approaching 13th, regained lead soon after, ridden 4 out, stayed on under pressure from last
held up, headway approaching 13th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
close up, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
held up, outpaced halfway, ridden 12th, stayed on from last
Nonrunner
The handicapper has had a guess that a 9lb rise may well be enough to stop Manoubi here, but this judge is unconvinced and he looks capable of backing up his recent Hexham success, with Bob Bites Back and Shannon's Pride on the short list and Gabor respected on a course he enjoys. Martin Todhunter-trained Manoubi battled through driving rain and up the stiff finishing straight to win over 3m at Hexham, when he was eased down to win by less than two lengths. This extra quarter of a mile looks well within his compass and with the ground in his favour he can get one over on the handicapper. Shannon's Pride has to give weight away all around but likes it here and acts with cut. However, the combination of the racing weight and the fact that he does not really get much beyond three miles mean we will oppose him. Bob Bites Back is 3lb lower than when following home Crofton Arch over c&d last time out. He has yet to convince on softer ground, but being by Bob Back it should not inconvenience him too much and if his jumping can be trusted then he won't be far away. Of the remainder Gabor is perhaps the biggest danger. He won on good to soft over this track and trip last August and is now racing from a 7lb lower mark. If he handles this slower surface as well then he looks the biggest threat to our selection, Manoubi.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden and effort 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 13, 16l behind Square Mile (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Manoubi 8-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, led 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jun beating Gee Aker Malayo (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
The Kew Tour (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) In touch, driven along 9th, soon lost place, weakened 4 out, 10th of 13, 41l behind Square Mile (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
The Green Hat (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Led, headed 4 out, mistake next, soon no extra, 9th of 20, 50l behind General Wellington (11-11) at Punchestown 3m mdn hdl gf in May.
Bob Bites Back (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Held up, outpaced 4 out, stayed on flat, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Crofton Arch (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in May.
Gabor 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 7th, stayed on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Champagne Harry (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Jun.
Innisfree (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Led, headed 8th, pecked next, reminders 13th, soon behind, last of 10, 45l behind Blackergreen (11-1) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leader, lost place approaching 3 out, blundered next, last of 6, 21l behind King Of The Arctic (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jun.
