led until 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader until 1st, chased leaders after, not fluent 7th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 4th last stride
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th or 6th, headway from 8th, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, no extra last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
mid-division, closed from 9th, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, comfortably
jumped right at times, mid-division, slow and lost place 2nd, well behind 4 out, soon pulled up
chased leader 1st until after 4th, stayed handy, weakened 2 out
in rear, not fluent 5th, headway after 4 out, stayed on flat, went 4th last stride
chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, not fluent 7th, led 4 out, soon headed, weakened last
mid-division on outside, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
behind in last, headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
always towards rear, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake 7th, struggling from next, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 8th, soon in rear, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 3 out
A decent renewal with so many chances. Captain Tom Cat, the likely favourite, has been cleverly placed to land a hat-trick since mid-May. However, he's 22lb higher as a result and one or two may prove better treated. One such possibility is DARLING MALTAIX, yet to strike gold at this level but a strong traveller who could prove well suited by the likely strong pace. A mark of 134 remains within his compass and it would not surprise if he's been laid out for this by the champion trainer. Solomon Grey was unlucky to come down last time but may just be better suited by a longer trip, whilst Fire Away, no less than 39lb higher than when scoring at Musselburgh in February, simply refuses to let the handicapper win the battle and cannot be ignored. Francky Du Berlais throws in the odd below par run but is a player on the best of his form and Pink Eyed Pedro isn't discounted either.
Talkischeap (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Midfield, ridden and lost touch before 5 out, pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Captain Tom Cat (IRE) 2-7fav (11-10) Made all, jumped well straight when in control, easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun beating Storm Rising (10-12) by 29l, 4 ran.
Pink Eyed Pedro 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway from 8th, went 2nd 2 out until mistake last, held flat, kept on, 4th of 18, 4 3/4l behind Francky Du Berlais (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Solomon Grey (FR) 7-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5 out, still going well when unseating rider 4 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Exelerator Express (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, bumped last, never on terms, kept on, 6th of 18, 5 3/4l behind Francky Du Berlais (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 9-4jfav (11-7) Not always fluent, prominent until 2nd, held up, closed after 10th, outpaced from 2 out, no impression after, well held final bend, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Solar Impulse (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Fire Away (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, travelled well to join leader 2 out, ridden to lead before last, went clear, readily, won at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul beating Ultimate Getaway (11-7) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Made all, pressed last, ridden and stayed on gamely to hold rival flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Ballyellis (10-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Templepark 13-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, left 2nd 10th until 3 out, every chance last, 3rd and held before final bend, kept on, 3rd of 9, 10 1/2l behind Fire Away (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Darling Maltaix (FR) 7-4fav (11-8) Raced keenly, jumped well, led from 3rd, ridden before 2 out, stayed on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jun beating Pilbara (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Prominent, ridden before 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 16, dist behind Storm Home (10-0) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Royal Village (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, steady headway four out, not fluent 3 out, 3 lengths down when leader fell last, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Hes No Trouble (11-6) by dist, 4 ran.
Danse Idol (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, switched left and closed after 9th, went 3rd from 2 out, hampered flat, soon switched left, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards, finished 3rd, places 2nd, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Princeton Royale (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
That's A Given (FR) 7-4fav (11-8) Held up in 4th, going nicely in 3rd when slightly hampered 3 out, headway into 2nd going well over 2 out, led under 2 out and soon pulled clear, jumped well last and soon well clear, eased closing stages, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating The Bees Knees (12-0) by 12l, 5 ran.
Lord Bryan (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Made all, pressed and not fluent 2 out, stayed on well, drew clear flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Jun beating Ballyhome (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Sebastian Beach (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Dell' Arca (11-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
