always in rear, under pressure 11th, struggling next
chased winner, mistake 5th, lost 2nd 13th, weakened after next
held up in rear, pushed along 10th, plugged on from 3 out, but never in contention
made all, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish
in touch, ridden 12th, soon struggling
always behind, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 4 out
prominent, blundered 5th, chased winner 13th, driven and no impression approaching 2 out, lost 2nd run-in
held up, headway to chase leaders from 13th, driven to challenge for 2nd when pecked 2 out, weakened run-in
in touch, blundered 6th, mistakes 8th and 14th, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd run in no chance with winner
chased leaders, lost place 11th, no chance after
behind when blundered and unseated rider 5th
Nonrunner
Xellance gets the vote in this handicap chase with On The Outside and Red Echo rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind Nayobadayo last time out, that form has since been franked and off the same mark and under similar conditions here he looks the value bet in an open affair. On The Outside rates the main danger on his best form but he disappointed behind Celtic Boy last time for no apparent reason so can not be put forward with any confidence. Red Echo is another worthy of respect as he won well last time out when beating Music To My Ears but this looks more competitive and the suspicion is he will need to improve if he is to win off this higher mark. Bosham Mill has been in fair form in Hunter Chases of late but he looks on a high enough mark. Of the remainder Barren Lands won well last time but is best when allowed to dominate and as that does not look likely he looks worth taking on and with this in mind for the winner we return to Xellance who has everything in his favour.
Whispered Secret (GER) 18-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 6th, lost touch from 13th, 5th of 11, 37l behind Celtic Boy (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Tango Royal (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 14l behind Celtic Boy (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
On The Outside (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 6th, headed 9th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Celtic Boy (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, ridden and outpaced 11th, stayed on from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Fool On The Hill (11-3) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in May.
Bosham Mill 3-1fav (12-0) Led to 4th, led 16th, headed next, led again 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 6l behind Knife Edge (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) sft in May.
Xellance (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up, headway 4 out, kept on flat, not trouble winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Nayodabayo (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Red Echo (FR) 9-2 (10-4) Chased leader until led 10th,, hung right approaching last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun beating Music To My Ears (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Barren Lands 5-2jt-fav (10-9) Always prominent, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, 27 lengths in front last, strongly eased flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jun beating Lord Dundaniel (11-9) by 11l, 10 ran.
