held up behind leaders, brought down 2nd
not fluent 1st, in rear when badly hampered 2nd, ridden before 3 out, no impression, weakened from next
tracked leaders on inside, hampered and left disputing 2nd from 2nd, not much room on inside after 3 out, led next, ridden and headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd close home
held up behind leaders, brought down 2nd
led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace last
tracked leaders, hampered and left closer 2nd, switched right before last, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home
held up in rear, travelled strongly, left 4th at the 2nd, closed before 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
prominent, fell 2nd
OR DE VASSY proved frustrating in bumpers but should do better now that some obstacles are placed in his way and he tackles a distance of note. Dan Skelton’s charge can make a winning debut over hurdles even though Equus Amadeus managed to win a bumper at Exeter in May and Royal Escape showed ability in his one run in that sphere and has a jumping pedigree. Special Prep was only beaten a length by a subsequent winner at Perth last month and is the pick of those with hurdling experience.
Fisherman Frank 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place halfway, soon behind, tailed off 4f out, pulled up over 1f out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Mackie Dee (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, flattened 3rd, pushed along before 2 out where not fluent, soon ridden and lost 2nd, no extra, 3rd of 4, 24l behind The Doorman (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gd in May.
Or De Vassy (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Led, headed over 10f out, led again 6f out, kicked for home 3f out, headed over 1f out, outpaced by winner after, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Whatswrongwithyou (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Royal Escape (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place when hung wide into straight, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Not That Fuisse (10-11) at Warwick 2m (6) gd in Apr.
Special Prep (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led, joined 2 out, soon driven, headed approaching last, rallied and hung right flat, not pace of winner close home, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Ebony Rose (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Aug.
The Welsh Paddies (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, one pace in 3rd final 2f, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 23 3/4l behind Portrush Ted (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 1f (6) gd in May beating Symphony Of Angels (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jonjoela (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, lost place 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind Mizen Master (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug.
Whiskey Baron (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, struggling after 4 out, no chance with leaders from next, left remote 3rd last, 3rd of 4, dist behind Ckalco Des Loges (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.