held up in touch in 5th, ridden after 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 6th, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, in 4th approaching last and well held, kept on to regain 3rd flat
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on towards finish
tracked leader, mistake 7th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and in 3rd approaching and hit last, no extra flat
held up behind, effort before 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, soon led, driven out flat
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, hit next, never dangerous
held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, in 6th approaching last, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 4th and keen, weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
SCOTSBROOK CLOUD has made hay since joining David Evans and is poised to land the hat-trick, despite an 18lb rise since winning at Fontwell. A mark of 100 clearly makes life tougher for this five-year-old but he did start life in handicaps rated 92 and there's no telling how much more there is in the tank, so facile have been his two victories for the yard. Providing the ground remains good he's taken to beat the returning Willandrich, himself up a further 6lbs for winning when last seen in the spring. A return to this ground will suit as should the step up to three miles, but he's got an absence to overcome and may be one to oppose this time. Mealagh Valley has seen the track just eight times in over four years and can't be backed with confidence so Rare Coincidence, in good form across all codes recently, is likely to provide the biggest threat up just 5lbs for his Cartmel win.
Willandrich (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, stayed on to lead last 50 yards, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Art Exhibition (11-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
Englishtown (FR) 18-1 (11-2) Jumped left throughout, tracked leaders, hit 8th and lost place, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 9, 35l behind Go Amwell (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Admiral Dundas (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden, led approaching 2 out, 1 length clear when swerved left and unseated rider last, in a race won by Kristoffersen (10-13) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct, 6 ran.
Rare Coincidence 10-1 (11-2) Led until 4th, prominent, outpaced after 2 out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on gamely to lead near finish, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul beating Cannon Fire (10-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Kings Riches (IRE) 11-8fav (10-9) Not fluent, led, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, headed 6th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 25l behind Ben's Folly (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Watercolours (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) In rear, pushed along after 9th, soon lost place, 4th of 6, well behind Elbow High (10-10) at Perth 3m 3f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Apr.
Scotsbrook Cloud 4-7fav (10-0) Held up in 5th, smooth headway after 7th, tracked leading pair next, went 2nd well before 3 out, led on bit before 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct beating Friends Of Tina (10-9) by 12l, 7 ran.
Tayman (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Prominent, ridden after 6th, stopped rapidly next, pulled up after, in a race won by National Trust (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f sell hdl (5) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Young Buddy 3-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Vecchio Senso (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear on outside, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Dunkelly Castle (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Mealagh Valley (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent, mistake 2nd, rear and pushed along 4th, headway 9th, driven before 3 out, stayed on under pressure and close enough in 4th last, no extra flat, 4th of 9, 9l behind Sordid Secret (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gf in Jun.
