led, mistake and headed 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied last, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed before last, weakened flat
held up, took keen hold, headway from 8th, hit 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2 places close home
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway after 2 out, led before last, ran on well to draw clear flat
chased leaders, not fluent 5th (water), ridden 2 out, lost place before last
pressed leader until mistake 5th (water), outpaced after 2 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd near finish, no impression on winner
held up in rear, headway on outside 6th, lost place before 8th, not fluent 2 out, no impression when mistake and unseated rider last
Princesse Fleur has some decent enough form figures next to her name but does rather flatter to deceive in that you cannot help but feel she should have won more than just a couple of races. She's certainly interesting now asked to jump a fence but a watching brief looks best. Academy General looks on a high enough mark but ISLANDMAGEE has shown sufficient talent and aptitude in six fencing starts to suggest he'll go very close to a first chasing success. His unseat at the final obstacle the last day was no fault of his own. The Bay Bandit has been sent to the Channel Islands to land his most recent victories, including the Jersey Champion Hurdle, but will find this a different challenge altogether.
Academy General (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 10th to chase leaders, went 3rd before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 13, 36l behind Best Boy Barney (11-8) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Islandmagee (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, plugged on before 2 out, disputing well held 4th when badly hampered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Respectueux (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun, 9 ran.
The Bay Bandit (11-2) won at Jersey(JER) 2m 1f hdl gs, 5 ran.
Princesse Fleur 11-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway on outside 8th, not fluent 3 out, went 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Galley Slave (9-13) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf.
Osorios Trial 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 12, 28l behind Galley Slave (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
Lodgician (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, pecked 2nd, hit 6th, headed 10th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out to before last, no impression in 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Owner Occupier (10-9) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
If And When 125-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened 6th, well tailed off and eased when no chance, 9th of 12, well behind Bohemian Rhapsody (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd.
