chase leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on
towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace flat
towards rear, headway 6th, weakened after next
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, not quicken flat
mid-division, remainders after 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when hampered and unseated rider 2 out
held up and pulled hard, hit 1st, headway 7th, weakened 3 out
keen, with leader, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, beaten when blundered badly last
held up and keen, headway 3rd, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, behind when fell 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off when hampered and unseated rider 2 out
Vaughan can defy his penalty to complete the hat-trick, with Ken's Dream, Skidmark and Smart Minister left to fight out the places. Vaughan was a more than capable middle-distance sort on the Flat, especially on fast ground, and since encountering those conditions over timber, has been a force to be reckoned with. Successful at Exeter and Hereford so far, he seems to have struck up a good understanding with Richard Johnson, and this lightly-raced sort of late should comfortably defy a penalty before being put away until the autumn as connections do not want to over-race him. Of the remainder here, Ken's Dream was well behind when falling at the last in the Swinton and has to improve, while Skidmark may need further judged on his second in a maiden hurdle here last time. That leaves Smart Minister, who may well have finished a lot closer to Amarula Ridge at Huntingdon but for a mistake at the last, and he could be the one to give the confident selection Vaughan most to do.
Vaughan Evensfav (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Able King (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ken's Dream 9-1 (10-0) Behind when fell at the last in race won by Acambo (10-4) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May, 21 ran.
I'm Innocent 20-1 (11-7) Chsd ldrs; one pce 3 out, 4th of 11, 13l behind Nesotho (11-7) at Littlewindsor 2m 4f ptp gd in Apr.
It's A Roofer (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Royal Glen (10-13) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
James Bay (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off from 7th, 12th of 14, well behind Countrywide Sun (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Skidmark 12-1 (11-3) Pulled hard, mid division, headway 6th, ridden to go 2nd after 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Sakenos (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Wrenlane 22-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, ridden after 2 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Wiggy Smith (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Smart Minister 28-1 (10-11) Led 3rd, headed before 2 out, every chance when mistake last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Amarula Ridge (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m amt nov hdl (4) gf in May.
