towards rear, ridden 3 out, held when fell 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on one pace
led and set fast pace, ridden after 3 out, headed after last, weakened close home
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
soon struggling behind, tailed off 3 out
unruly start and pulled up before 1st
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and chased leader 2 out, one pace flat
chased leader, weakened after 4th, pulled up before 6th
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, shaken up 5th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, chased leader after last, ran on well to lead flat, driven out
in touch, ridden 6th, weakened and hit 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and close up 3 out, weakened 2 out
Sashenka is taken to follow up at the expense of Art Virginia, Norman Beckett and Classic Role. Sashenka made all to open her account over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month, and although unproven on fast ground, is taken to crack out and repel all again, as she does not look badly treated. Art Virginia has in the main been disappointing over fences, even with the application of blinkers, so is best watched on his return to the smaller obstacles. Norman Beckett is a pretty consistent sort, but was a beaten favourite at Uttoxeter last time. He won on fast ground on the Flat though, and is dangerous to leave out of calculations. The booking of Tony McCoy for Classic Role catches the eye, but all in all we prefer the proven claims of Sashenka.
Classic Role 28-1 (10-7) Mid-division, closer order 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakening when mistake last, 7th of 14, 10l behind Capitana (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jul.
Contra Mundum (USA) 7-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, smooth headway and every chance 6th, led next, soon driven clear, easily, won at Stratford 2m sll hdl (5) gf beating Pips Assertive Way (10-12) by 11l, 13 ran.
Art Virginia (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Led, headed and weakened quickly 11th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Iron Man (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May, 14 ran.
Eldorado 33-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off, 16th of 18, well behind Special Envoy (11-6) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Freedomofthecity (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Pistolet Dove (11-2) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gs.
Gumlayloy 66-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Danehill Willy (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Prince Vector 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 6th to 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, 4th of 14, 18l behind Ouninpohja (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Sashenka 13-8fav (10-2) Always close up, led approaching 6th, ridden and mistake 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jul beating Ayurveda (10-9) by 4l, 12 ran.
Swainson (USA) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division until weakened 6th, 7th of 11, 41l behind Bubbs (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Dan Buoy (FR) 8-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, chased leader after 2f, ridden and weakened after 2f out, last of 7, 21l behind Market Forces (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul (Flat).
Norman Beckett 4-5fav (10-11) Took keen hold, held up, headway after 5th, outpaced next rallied approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 11, 40l behind Toni Alcala (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jul.
She's Humble (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 44l behind The Real Deal (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
