mid-division, headway on outside after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, never a factor
in touch, ridden and switched right approaching 3 out, one pace flat
held up in rear, not always fluent, struggling approaching 4 out, never dangerous
pressed leader, jumped left 6th, led after 3 out, headed and not much room 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, not fluent 5th or 10th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, headway on outside after 9th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, not fluent 9th, ridden 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, switched right approaching last, went 4th flat, nearest finish
led, jumped right 5th, bumped next, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last
with leaders until approaching 2nd, jumped very slowly and jumped rear 4th, behind 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th or 10th, behind 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly in mid-division, in touch after 9th, not clear run approaching 2 out briefly, soon weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, led 2 out, clear flat, ran on well
prominent, hit 9th, pushed along briefly, ridden and weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Paul Nicholls saddles no fewer than four of the 16 runners for this valuable handicap chase with Ruby Ealsh's mount Roby De Cimbre looking the pick of the quartet over Sporazene, Hoo La Baloo and Predateur but KEEPITSECRET makes more appeal and he is preferred. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding was an easy winner of a race at Stratford two starts ago and only just failed to follow up that success when headed late on at Market Rasen last time. The slight drop in trip today should suit the eight-year-old and he is taken to go one better today. David Pipe's Star of Germany has been in good form of late and should again be thereabouts but he may struggle under his penalty for his win at Stratford on Thursday. No Panic is closely matched with the selection on running at Market Rasen last month and holds Always Waining on running that day. Gordon Elliott's Backstage has been in good form over hurdles of late but may struggle back over the larger obstacles off his current mark, while Templer has more to do than when winning at Stratford last time. Tom George's Lord Ryeford ran better at Stratford last month and is another that has to be considered but the safest option looks to be Keepitsecret, who gets the vote.
Sporazene (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, soon clear, not fluent 3rd, ridden and headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 16l behind Alsadaa (11-0) at Sandown 2m Lstd hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 6-1fav (11-6) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 21st, in a race won by Hennessy (10-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up, 11th 5 out, headway in 6th before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by J'y Vole (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 sft in Apr, 18 ran.
Backstage (FR) 6-5fav (11-5) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Coq Hardi (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Not fluent, chased winner, pushed along approachin4 out, beaten when blundered 3 out, all out to hold on for 3rd near finish, 3rd of 5, well behind Just Amazing (11-4) at Stratford 2m 7f nov stks (4) gd in Jul.
Always Waining (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallying when blundered last, stayed on flat, 5th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Nostringsattached (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Good Company (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 4th, headway 6th, every chance 2 out to last, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Star of Germany (10-8) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jul.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, raced keenly, not fluent 10th, ridden after 11th, headway approaching 3 out, led flat, headed post, 2nd of 16, shd behind Nostringsattached (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 8th, ridden 2 out, switched left approaching last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Histoire De Moeurs (9-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Jul.
Templer (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leader, mistake 8th (water) led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May beating Commemoration Day (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Ridden almost throughout, in rear, jumped slowly 6th, headway approaching 12th, lost place when badly hampered 15th, behind when fell 4 out, in a race won by Killyglen (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Roby De Cimbre (FR) 11-2fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, no extra after 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 20, well behind Ballyholland (10-9) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs sft in Jul.
Predateur (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Not fluent 1st, tracked leading pair, blundered 6th, chased clear leader next, closer order 9th, led 11th, clear when driven before 2 out, tired near finish, unchallenged, won at Newton Abbot 2m noc chs (4) gs beating Wake Board (10-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
Star of Germany (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leader, challenged 2 out, soon led, in command last, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf beating Torrid Kentavr (11-12) by 3l, 4 ran.
No Panic (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 6th, not fluent next, led after 11th, headed flat, held near finish, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Nostringsattached (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Piano Star 14-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 9th of 20, 32l behind Ballyholland (10-9) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs sft in Jul.
