not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, ridden 3 out kept on same pace from next, no impression
mid-division, steady headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
led to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in rear, hampered 5th, headway and in touch 9th, led before 2 out, led clear last, ridden out comfortably
mid-division, blundered 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
hit 1st, never better than mid-division
held up, always behind
mid-division, when fell 5th
behind until ridden, kept on from 3 out, never near leaders
behind, some headway after 3 out, never on terms
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened from next
chased leaders, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and headed before next, 2nd when blundered badly last, not recover
mid-division, hampered and lost place 5th, no danger after
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered and unseated rider last
mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
chased leader to 9th, soon lost place, behind from 3 out
Ballycassidy can land the feature event although there is no shortage of class on view with the likes of Impek and Good Lord Louis. The horse won the 2003 renewal of the Summer Plate and looks to once again have been laid out for the contest. Trainer Peter Bowen has an impressive strike rate at this track saddling well over forty per cent of winners to entries in recent seasons and granted a clear round, Ballycassidy should prove too strong again. Impek is a strange entry given that Henrietta Knight is not noted for having many runners. His quirkiness appears to have disappeared with age but he is unproven over this trip and seems to reserve his best runs for two miles around Sandown Park. Good Lord Louis has reportedly had his training troubles but he does not have too many miles on the clock. He is potentially very unexposed and is in receipt of lumps of weight. Celtic Boy is the second of two Peter Bowen entries. He is much better going right-handed than left and does appear to be still progressing the right way. Ebinzayd has been kept busy on the flat after finishing a close up second to Locksmith at Ayr. Today¿s strong pace should suit matters. Liverpool Echo was sold at the sales in May in order to dissolve a partnership. He stays this trip but it will be interesting to see what new connections will be doing with him. Isard III have never won here and appears to be a Newton Abbot specialist these days. His chances do look favourable to Tango Royal. Bronzesmith takes a step up in grade having posted back-to-back successes at Worcester. He travels well and has every chance of running a solid race. Gumley Gale looks best of the rest at bigger prices.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Jun beating Earlsfield Raider (11-3) by 7l, 15 ran.
Impek (FR) 9-2fav (11-10) Held up, steady headway from 11th, chased leaders before 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Tikram (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Apr.
Jakari (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 20th in race won by Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Tango Royal (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Brooklyn Breeze (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (B) gd in Apr.
Ebinzayd (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden approaching 4 out, chased winner 2 out, blundered last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Locksmith (11-7) at Ayr 2m nov chs (C) gd in Apr.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in 4th, tracked leader 14th, led well before 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (B) gd in Apr beating Red Devil Robert (11-10) by 12l, 5 ran.
Bronzesmith 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 9th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Jun beating Deep King (10-10) by 7l, 13 ran.
Celtic Boy (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) With leaders, led 4th, kept on strongly from last, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Jun beating Oh My Lord (10-2) by 5l, 6 ran.
Marked Man (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Always behind, hampered 5th, hit 4 out and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Kind Sir (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
