held up in touch, not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), chased leaders next, soon one pace, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd on extended run-in, no impression with winner
tracked leader, left in lead 3rd, blundered next, mistake and headed 2 out (usual 3 out), soon ridden and one pace, no impression when lost 2nd on extended run-in
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out (usual 5 out), led 2 out 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and stayed on well on extended run-in
led until fell heavily 3rd
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced in 3rd 2 out (usual 3 out), soon no impression, lost place on extended run-in
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, blundered next, blundered and lost place 4 out (usual 5 out), outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and kept on on extended run-in, just failed for 3rd near finish
The Last Night beat Sands Cove over course and distance in April and was still in front when falling three out in the race won by Chestnut Ben at Huntingdon earlier this month. Emma Lavelle's charge would figure with a clear round but is a risky proposition. Ulis De Vassy is just in danger of becoming disappointing while Violets Boy keeps finding one too good and has gone up another pound since his run behind The Nephew at Fontwell. KITEGEN gets a tentative vote as he'll enjoy the ground and the likely fast pace. He's only a pound higher than when winning over track and trip in March.
Sands Cove (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Prominent until mistake 2nd, pushed along and struggling before 6th, behind when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Zarzal (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Kitegen (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Prominent, not fluent 8th, led after 4 out, headed flat, no extra close home, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Welsh Bard (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jul.
Violets Boy (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up early tracking leading trio, 3rd after 10th, chased winner before 3 out, closed last, stayed on run in but always held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind The Nephew (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
The Last Night (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Led, until hit 3 out and fell, in a race won by Chestnut Ben (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd, 6 ran.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 6th, went 2nd next, left in lead 3 out, ridden clear last, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Saddlers Deal (10-11) by 7l, 6 ran.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) In touch, not fluent and lost place 5th, mistake 7th, closed next, ridden after 9th, outpaced and last when not fluent 4 out, stayed on before last, pressing for 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Dealing River (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
