tracked leaders, slow 7th (water) and lost place, not fluent next, pulled up before 9th
made all, ridden after 2 out, clear last, comfortably
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, not fluent 10th and reminder, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and lost 3rd before 3 out, well held in 4th after, one pace
held up, closed 6th, lost place 10th, no impression on leaders after
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, headway 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no impression, stayed on same pace
tracked winner throughout, ridden after 3 out, no impression before last
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, well beaten from 4 out, tailed off
Bendomingo has been very inconsistent though did run better in a similar race to this at Ffos Las. BIRCH HILL was having only his second start over fences when making all over a longer trip here last month. He's only up 4lb and can go in again though No Hiding Place, a winner over hurdles at Towcester in May, has been thrown straight into handicap company for his chasing bow so connections must believe he's well in. Comanche Chieftain had a very good record over hurdles on this track and showed major improvement on just his fourth start over fences at Worcester so has to be on the shortlist. None of the remainder can be dismissed in an interesting event.
Birch Hill (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Born For War (11-1) by 2l, 5 ran.
Comanche Chieftain (CAN) 8-1 (11-10) Led until 3rd, chased leader who went clear next, jumped slowly 5th, closer after 8th, upsides 3 out, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Dark Invader (10-11) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
No Hiding Place (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, outpaced 3 out, jumped left and mistake 2 out, went left and not fluent last, lost modest 3rd flat, 4th of 6, 9 1/4l behind Salix (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Braavos 12-1 (11-3) Pressed leader, led 2nd until next, led again 4th, headed before 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened badly run-in, 5th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Wolfcatcher (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Trafalgar Rock 7-2 (11-9) Led, pushed along and headed on long run after last, soon ridden and no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Dear Sire (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gd in Jul.
Morianour (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace in last pair, headway before 2 out, in modest 3rd approaching 2 out, hit last, weakened into 4th soon after, 4th of 9, dist behind Show On The Road (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
The Flame (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 11, 25l behind Zebi Boy (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Bendomingo (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, clear to before 4 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Cafe Au Lait (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
