led until 9th, chased leader until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd and slight peck 4 out, challenged 3 out, led last, ridden and battled on gamely run-in, headed post
held up towards rear, headway tracking leaders 5 out, went 3rd 3 out until weakened between last 2
mid-division, weakened soon after 5 out
chased leader, led 9th, joined 3 out, headed last, lost 2nd and no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
mid-division, pushed along chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened next
always in rear, never on terms, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 5 out, tailed off
always towards rear, never on terms
always behind, lost touch 10th, tailed off
patiently ridden towards rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, 3rd between last 2, went 2nd 100 yards out, strong run to lead post
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened soon after, mistake 2 out
A cracking renewal in which most have some sort of chance. Oldgrangewood had May’s Punchestown winner O O Seven back in third when he won it in 2017 off a 10lb higher mark but recent efforts suggest he’ll struggle to stage an encore. Glen Forsa would be a threat to all if back to his best and a similar comment applies to Spiritofthegames. Gala Ball won over track and trip in March and doesn’t have many miles on the clock while Kalashnikov was only headed after the last when making his reappearance in a Grade 2 at Aintree. Eamon An Cnoic will be winning again when the handicapper shows him some mercy but The Bay Birch will likely find a few of these too strong. We’ll take a chance on SAN BENEDETO, who is better off at the weights than when beating Gala Ball in a Grade 3 here in March. He was far too keen on his return to action at Market Rasen but that was a hot contest for the time of year and the Nicholls gelding has plenty of class. Azzerti kept on well to score against lesser rivals here last time but is 4lb higher now.
O O Seven (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Soon led, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after next and pressed approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in May beating Livelovelaugh (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 7-5fav (10-10) Tracked leading pair, dived at 2nd, went 2nd 8th (3 out), led going well after bypassing omitted 2 out, headed bypassing omitted last, readily outpaced by winner, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Forest Bihan (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Oct.
San Benedeto (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, keen, headway to lead approaching 5th, headed before 3 out, soon lost place, 6th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Copper West (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Chased leader, not fluent 2nd, pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened last, lost 3rd close home, last of 4, 25 1/4l behind Atlanta Ablaze (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Glen Forsa (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, hit 5 out, lost place before next, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Wenyerreadyfreddie (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) With leaders until 1st, chased leaders after, mistake 8th, soon lost place, pulled up before 10th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced on long run before 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened and pulled up turning in, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Gala Ball (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent and lost place briefly 5 out, led 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well under pressure flat, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar beating Valdez (11-11) by 1l, 5 ran.
Azzerti (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders on outside before 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, led again run-in, all out, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Chef D'Equipe (11-7) by hd, 11 ran.
Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up behind, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Oldgrangewood 4-1cfav (11-1) Held up, headway before 4 out, 3rd from next, no impression, one pace, 3rd of 10, 13 3/4l behind Riders Onthe Storm (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Go Long (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Held up tracking leaders on inside, not fluent 9th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Guitar Pete (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
