held up, behind clear leaders, close up 9th, outpaced before 3 out, weakening when mistake next
led, soon clear, reduced advantage when mistake 9th, joined 2 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner before last, lost 2nd flat
held up, in rear, close up 9th, one pace in 4th when blundered 3 out, well held after
tracked clear leader, close up 9th, ridden after 3 out, outpaced by front pair between last 2, stayed on to regain 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased clear leaders to 5th, soon behind, continued tailed off
held up behind, close up 9th, upsides 2 out, led between last 2, soon clear, pushed out, very easily
Nonrunner
Stephanie Frances is a useful hurdler but she fell in both starts over fences last autumn. Presumably, she'll have had plenty of schooling this summer but doubts remain whereas WAR SINGER has taken really well to chasing and comprehensively reversed earlier running with Gabrial The Great at Newton Abbot last month. Saint Charles beat an odds-on favourite here on his second start over fences but maiden hurdler Ballycamp makes his debut over the larger obstacles and Gran Maestro was engaged at Market Rasen yesterday.
War Singer (USA) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd before 7th, ridden before last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gf in Jul beating Keltus (11-12) by hd, 5 ran.
Gabrial The Great (IRE) 5-4 (11-8) Led, headed after 4 out, every chance last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 5, 7 1/4l behind War Singer (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gf in Jul.
Saint Charles (FR) 5-4 (11-2) Held up 3rd and last, close up 6th, tracked leader after 8th, challenged 2 out (usual 3 out), led last, driven out flat (2 fences omited), won at Southwell 2m (4) gs in Jul beating Swansea Mile (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 3 ran.
Ballycamp (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, headed before last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Sir Toby (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Jul.
Porters Lane 100-1 (10-12) Behind, struggling 5th, tailed off 3 out, plugged on in remote 4th from next, 4th of 8, dist behind The Outlaw (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gs in Jul.
Stephanie Frances (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders on outside next, one pace before last, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 19, 10 1/2l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Gran Maestro (USA) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged after 4th, led 8th until 9th, soon ridden, led 10th, headed 4 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Impulsive American (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Jul.
