in rear, hampered 1st, headway before 2 out, ridden to chase winner run-in, kept on and always held
tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
made all, ridden run-in, kept on well, driven out
tracked leaders in 3rd when blundered badly and unseated rider
tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, lost 2nd place run-in, soon weakened
Robin's Command is proving much better over fences than hurdles and came within a neck of completing a course and distance hat-trick earlier this month. But he's been raised a further 3lb since, which might make him vulnerable. Crown Theatre looks the type to do well over the larger obstacles and the consistent Final Assault should also have a future but Goldie Horn's two wins over hurdles came in sellers. BLACKWATER KING may have benefited from another summer of schooling as he undoubtedly has potential. He's disappointed too often to be given a confident vote but can win this nevertheless.
Final Assault (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 11, 14l behind Silsol (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Crown Theatre (IRE) 7-4 (11-4) Held up at slow pace, improved to track leaders 5 out, 4th 3 out, progress when short of room between last 2 and switched left, 3rd at last, no impression and kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Island Villa (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl gd.
Robin's Command (IRE) 11-10fav (10-11) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on and held near finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Claragh Native (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Goldie Horn 6-1 (11-3) Led, ridden before 2 out, headed 2 out, rallied to regain lead before last, headed last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Panache (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Aug.
Blackwater King (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Keen tracked leader until 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out, last of 5, 43l behind Sudski Star (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
