jumped well, made all, ridden before 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
held up well off the pace in 8th, reminders before 7th, modest 5th 9th, went poor 4th after 2 out, never a factor
held up in 5th, mistake and slight peck 6th, pushed along and weakened soon after 7th, tailed off
tracked leading trio, chased leading pair 3rd, well outpaced 4 out, mistake 2 out, plugged on same pace
held up in 6th, moderate 4th and ridden and struggling when blundered 4 out, weakened into poor 5th after 2 out, tailed off
chased winner throughout, driven along after 4 out, never able to get on terms, mistake last
took keen hold tracking leading pair, rider lost iron briefly 3rd and dropped to 4th, chased leaders, went left 5th, pushed along and struggling in 5th before 8th, weakened before next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after
in rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 3 out
There was give in the ground for both of Wicklewood's wins last month at Towcester and he may be vulnerable on this faster surface. Ex-pointer RESPECTUEUX got off the mark at the fifth attempt over fences under Rules when beating Mon Chevalier by more than four lengths over track and trip last week. That came in a higher grade race and he might be good enough to defy his penalty. Perth winner On The Case is also making progress and looks a danger but Think Its All Over is proving disappointing. Hurdle winner Mighty Mambo makes his chasing debut and may need the experience.
Respectueux (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Led until headed before 3 out (water), pressed leader, rallied to lead again 2 out, in command before last, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Mon Chevalier (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Wicklewood 6-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4th, headway before 4 out and going well, led before 2 out, soon ridden, clear before last, kept on well, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in May beating Bally Lagan (9-8) by 5l, 8 ran.
Mighty Mambo 5-2fav (11-7) Behind, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, weakened after last, 4th of 10, 22l behind Lightentertainment (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Think Its All Over (USA) 6-1 (11-12) Chased (clear) winner, not fluent 5th, lost 2nd next, weakened 7th, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Capisci (11-7) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Mar.
On The Case 2-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6th, led 3 out, kept on well, won at Perth 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in May beating Morning Time (11-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Chance Encounter (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along before 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Regal One (11-5) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in May, 9 ran.
Generous Bob 16-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, quickly weakened before 6 out, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Bostin (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in May, 12 ran.
First Spirit 100-1 (9-12) Pressed leader until after 5th, mistake next, weakened after 7th, last of 7, 38l behind Lauberhorn (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gd in Jul.
June French (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Ran in snatches, mostly in touch until after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Righteous Glory (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf, 9 ran.
