made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well
with leader, ridden and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on, never troubled winner
held up, ridden 2 out, not reach leaders
held up, ridden 4 out, never on terms
held up, ridden 3 out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, stayed on from 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
always in rear
always behind
With Northumberland Plate and Chester Cup winner Overturn standing his ground, half of these are being forced to carry more than their allotted weight. Toshi and Piper's Song look to be facing an impossible task but Now This Is It found improvement when second at the Galway Festival and Plan A has won here and at Gowran and was fourth in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in March. But Gordon Elliott also saddles BRAVE BEAUTY and it's the mare who is fancied to make amends for her relatively poor effort at Tramore last time, where she wasn't suited by the slow pace. There is no chance of that here with Australia Day likely to ensure Overturn doesn't get his own way out in front.
Overturn (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Led, bumped slightly 1st, headed 4th, led next, ridden after 2 out, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sanctuaire (10-8) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Australia Day (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Chased leading pair, challenging for lead when over jumped and stumbled 2nd, stayed in 3rd, hit 3 out, weakened soon after and eased when no chance, 9th of 10, 49l behind Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
General Miller 8-1 (11-7) Raced wide, chased leaders until weakened soon after 4 out, 10th of 17, 45l behind Menorah (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Noble Alan (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, steady headway from 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 22l behind Anquetta (10-3) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Feb.
Brave Beauty (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up off pace in rear, struggling to close from before 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, last of 5, 7l behind Takeyourcapoff (11-1) at Tramore 2m hdl gf.
Plan A (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Soon mid-division, closed to chase leaders 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out, 7th of 20, 10l behind Moon Dice (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Now This Is It (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led soon after 1st, soon clear, reduced lead 5th, kicked on again from before 2 out, reduced lead and kept on well from last, headed near finish, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Double Seven (10-1) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Magnum Force (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division and well off pace, moderate 8th 4 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 25l behind Down In Neworleans (11-9) at Roscommon 2m beg chase gd in May.
Toshi (USA) 13-8 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2nd, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Perth 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Danny Zuko (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Piper's Song (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Jumped left throughout, led until after 2nd, led again 5th, challenged 2 out, kept on, all out, won at Southwell 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Jul beating Danny Zuko (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
