MILTON DES BIEFFES comes into this race in the form of his life right now and is taken to win again at the expense of Proper Article and Qanta de Thaix. The selection won twice in the spring and came good again at Worcester last month when getting the better of Millenium Mag. This race does look more competitive but the handicapper has been kind to him. Although he has risen in the weights for his success he still looks well treated and is only five pounds higher for his latest win so if at his best he ought to go close. Proper Article caught the eye when finishing a good second to stable mate Working Late at Fontwell last time out. He is tried in cheek pieces for the first time to enhance his enthusiasm and as he runs off the same mark as he did last time out he is once again respected. Qanta de Thaix is only five and is still a maiden after nine attempts. He ran a personal best when second at Newton Abbot last time out and with further improvement to come he is another that will pose a danger to the selection. However Milton Des Bieffes still looks on the right side of the handicapper and is taken to win again.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader, challenged 5th, led approaching 9th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 25l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Caliban (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Slight lead, narrowly headed after 6th, stayed well there, 3rd and challenging when driven and hung right from 3 out, kept on well to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Majy D'auteuil (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Qanta de Thaix (FR) 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, held final 70 yards, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Psychological (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Knapp Bridge Boy (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun, 7 ran.
Jordan's Light (USA) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 9, 36l behind Silmi (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov stks (4) gs in May.
Northern Quest (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, close 4th and blundered badly 3 out, not recovered, 5th of 7, 18l behind Trafalgar Man (10-5) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Jumped right, made all, clear approaching 4th, ridden when hit 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jun beating Millenium Mag (10-0) by 7l, 6 ran.
Proper Article (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, with leader 2nd, led approaching 5th, headed soon after last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Working Late (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gd in Jun.
Coolnaharan (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tiarella (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 gs in May, 12 ran.
Red Jester 6-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, soon threatened winner, blundered 3rd, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 4th of 9, 20l behind Kikos (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Russian Invader (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway under pressure 4 out, left moderate 3rd, 3rd of 11, 23l behind Best Of The Lot (11-7) at Southwell 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May.
Falcon's Tribute (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out, no danger after, 5th of 9, 19l behind Trafalgar Man (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Post It 12-1 (11-6) Jumped right, hit 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent next, pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Blandings Castle (10-2) at Newton Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in May '07, 7 ran.
Past Heritage 8-1 (10-12) In touch, went 4th 6th, blundered 4 out, soon ridden, hung left from 2 out, kept on, drifted left flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Just Like That (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Kellys Fable 33-1 (10-0) Led, headed 8th, soon driven and no impression, 4th of 11, 28l behind Best Of The Lot (11-7) at Southwell 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May.
