held up, not fluent 8th, behind from 10th
mid-division, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
always towards rear, pulled up before 11th
held up, headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, driven out
led until after 11th, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, behind from 10th
held up, headway 9th, every chance approaching last, weakened flat
chased leader, jumped left 2nd, lost 2nd 5th, not fluent next, pecked 11th, soon led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, mistake 6th, behind from 9th
always prominent, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened approaching last
Luneray,Tamango and Deep King are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the tentative vote is given to Luneray. The selection won well last time out when beating Kind Sir and although she has a penalty for that win she won with a little in hand and she is taken to defy the handicapper here under conditions that suit. Tamango rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind Spring Margot in a better race last time out. However he has risen in the weights for getting beat and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Deep King is another that could go well as he was third behind the selection last time and is weighted to get a lot closer here. However he continues to be let down by his jumping when full pressure is applied and for that reason he is opposed. Shaadiva won well last time out when beating Ashnaya but will need to improve again to win this under his penalty in what looks a more competitive affair. Of the remainder Search And Destroy is from a yard in form and should be noted in the market as he looks to be on a handy mark but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Luneray.
Hors La Loi (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Behind, steady headway from 4 out, chased leaders next, one pace last, 4th of 12, 12l behind Great Travel (11-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Nov.
Shaadiva 9-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 6th to after next, remained in touch, led again after 4 out, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr beating Ashnaya (9-9) by 4l, 7 ran.
Tamango (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Prominent, pecked 7th, chased winner approaching 12th, no impression from 4 out, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Spring Margot (10-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in May.
Bronzesmith 12-1 (11-9) Jumped right 1st, mistake in mid-division 2nd, outpaced 11th, stayed on well from 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 11, 15l behind Good Lord Louis (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Search And Destroy (USA) 9-2 (11-10) With leader to 10th, weakened 12th, behind when mistake last, 6th of 11, 24l behind Good Lord Louis (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Palouse (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, mistake 15th, ridden 16th, weakened 17th, 6th of 8, well behind Inca Trail (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Luneray (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Held up and always handy, chased leader from 9th, ridden to lead 3 out, clear approaching last, idled close home, just held on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in May beating Kind Sir (10-1) by a shd, 9 ran.
Deep King (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) In touch, mistake 9th, with leading pair when hit 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Luneray (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in May.
