took keen hold, soon steadied rear, smooth headway before 3 out, led going well and slight peck 2 out, strongly pressed and ridden 150 yards out, stayed on and in control towards finish
held up in 5th, disputing 4th and ridden when fell heavily 2 out
led until after 4th, chased leader, hit 6th and 4 out, led again after 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner, no impression when lost 2nd before last, weakened from last
took keen hold in 6th, headway before 3 out, hung left from 2 out, chased winner before last, hung left strong challenge and upsides 150 yards out, no extra towards finish
chased leading trio, headway and every chance 2 out, weakened from last
chased leading pair, weakened 3 out, tailed off
raced wide, chased leader, led after 4th until after 4 out, weakened next, behind when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
Russian War sets the standard here and will have a real chance of giving Gordon Elliott another successful raid. Tara Warrior is well served by the framing of this contest and ran a decent race in defeat behind Rio Gael last time so while she has a chance she is exposed and might be venerable to an improved in the guise of GAMBO. The Evan Williams-trained runner has improved in two starts and his latest effort doesn't give him much to find to win this.
Russian War (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Rear of mid-division, 8th approaching 4 out where not fluent, moderate 4th 3 out, ridden into moderate 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression, 4th of 16, 23l behind Benefit Gale (10-11) at Tipperary 3m hdl gd in Jul.
Runaway Harry (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden when mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 26l behind There's No Panic (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Doubletoilntrouble (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Tracked leader, led 2nd, joined 6th, headed narrowly befofore 2 out, soon ridden, lead again briefly between last 2, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Safe Catch (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Gambo (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Soon steadied towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 6th, oupaced after 3 out, switched right and stayed on after 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Express Leader (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Tara Warrior (IRE) 15-8fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, not clear run on inside after 3 out, chasing winner when mistake 2 out, soon switched right, stayed on flat, edged right when held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Rio Gael (11-4) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Spring Haze 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3rd, mistake next, outpaced 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on final 150 yards, 4th of 9, 7l behind Misamon (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Jul.
Weldone Honey 20-1 (10-2) Towards rear, pushed along approaching 4th, reminders after 6th, headway when not fluent 8th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, soon drifted left, 5th of 10, 17l behind Sir Ronan (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
