tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 4th, blundered badly and lost place, not recover, behind when pulled up before next
tracked leaders on outside, effort before 3 out, one pace before next, ridden and stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner
held up in touch on inside, tracked leaders before 3 out, soon outpaced and ridden, never on terms, weakened from last
held up in touch in rear, outpaced after 4 out, never able to challenge, weakened from last
made most, not fluent 4 out and again next, driven and headed before 2 out, ridden and stayed on when pressed for 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner
tracked leaders, driven to lead before 2 out, soon clear, driven out, eased closing stages, very easily
held up in touch on outer, outpaced before 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from last, never a threat
Petrou enjoys a 4lb turnaround in the weights than when beaten just under two lengths by BALLYBOKER BREEZE at Aintree and there should be little between the pair today. But Nicky Richards’ course and distance winner is fancied to confirm the form with Ryan Day claiming 3lb again. Indian Temple has won here in the past but has never scored over this far under Rules. Lotus Pond faces his toughest task to date since joining Peter Bowen having been raised another 7lb since competing his hat-trick in game fashion at Ffos Las. A back to form Knock House would be a threat to all but Gordon Elliott’s pair, Swingbridge and Flaxen Flare, need to improve on recent efforts.
Ballyboker Breeze (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 11th, went 2nd 14th, led after 4 out, ridden and 2 lengths clear last, kept on flat, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Petrou (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Indian Temple (IRE) 15-8fav (12-3) Disputed lead, led before 4th, headed 5 out, lost place after 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Champagne At Tara (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Knock House (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place 2 out, 8th of 13, dist behind Black Sam Bella (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Petrou (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Set very modest pace, headed 2 out, no extra when not fluent last, 6th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Mr Mafia (10-3) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, joined and disputed from before 6th, ridden and headed after 4 out, no extra in 4th 3 out, weakened, 5th of 7, 33 1/2l behind Good Thyne Tara (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f gf in Jul.
Swingbridge (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, ridden 7th, mistake 2 out, plugged on, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Mont Royale (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Lotus Pond (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Held up behind, headway after 5 out, joined leader on inside 2 out, soon ridden, led narrowly after last, held on gamely flat, all out, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gf in Jul beating Marquis Of Carabas (12-0) by shd, 10 ran.
