held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, not trouble winner
mid-division, headway 7th, left 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
chased leader, hit 5th, led 9th to 12th, led again 4 out, soon left clear and ridden, pushed out flat
chased leaders, led 12th, just headed but still going well when fell 4 out
led, mistake 7th, headed 9th, weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
jumped right, always behind
held up, headway 10th, weakened 4 out
prominent, jumped slowly and lost place 1st, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 7th
soon mid-division, mistake 5th, lost place 7th, behind when blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, blundered 10th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
Persian Waters will be a warm order here after his very impressive return at Huntingdon three weeks ago, and James Fanshawe's charge is taken to follow up over El Vaquero and Control Man. It was no surprise when Persian Waters dished out a three length beating to Liverpool Echo on his return as he had by all accounts been working like a dream under the care of Steve Smith-Eccles at home. The time recorded was fast enough and his trainer, who makes the most of the few runners he does send jumping, has something to go to war with again. There is no getting away from the fact that El Vaquero was mightily impressive with his jumping at Taunton, but the favourite Lacdoudal appeared to have an off-day and it would not do to get too carried away with the form. Control Man beat nothing at Chepstow and wants it softer anyway, so is also worth opposing. Persian Waters has plenty of stamina, and this former Flat racer looks just the sort for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, so if he does the business here, have a small interest on him ante-post for the Festival before the odds shrink.
