tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, joined leader 7th, led 4 out, stayed on well after 2 out
led, headed 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off 2 out
held up in rear, blundered 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, outpaced next
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, outpaced next
Nonrunner
King Of The Arctic is selected in the finale. Double Mead and Eborarry make the most appeal from the rest, while Salhood is capable on his day but is not the easiest to predict and can be expensive to follow. Eborarry needs plenty of give underfoot to be seen at his best and will appreciate any rain that hits the track. Tim Easterby's gelding has a chance on these terms but needs everything to go his way. Double Mead has made the frame or won in each of his last six starts and can be relied upon to run his race. However, he has gone up 27lb in the ratings since March and is now beginning to look vulnerable. In which case, King Of The Arctic looks a viable alternative. The ten-year-old is back on an attractive mark and as a previous course and distance winner (holds Seeyaaj from their encounter last year), the top weight has plenty in his favour against this bunch of old chancers.
King Of The Arctic (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) In touch, close up 4 out, ridden next, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind Ballyholland (10-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Double Mead 13-8fav (12-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden when hit last, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Lord Alfred (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Seeyaaj 9-4fav (11-12) In touch, chased winner from 4 out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Brave Broncho (10-0) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Kit Carson (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 38l behind Ballyholland (10-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Alroyal (GER) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway into close 5th 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 5th of 8, 22l behind Panjo Bere (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Jun.
Salhood 12-1 (11-2) Held up, lost place 7th, headway 4 out, led briefly before 2 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind No Complaint (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Eborarry (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 42l behind William Butler (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Nesnaas (USA) 20-1 (11-10) Held up, not fluent 8th, some headway approaching 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 28l behind William Butler (10-8) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Waterspray (AUS) 20-1 (11-12) Led, headed briefly 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, beaten when mistake last, 5th of 12, 24l behind Haunted House (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Country Escape 17-2 (11-6) In rear, not always fluent, not looking keen and beaten 3 out, 10th of 11, 26l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-4) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
