chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened 2 out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, not quicken towards finish
held up, headway after 5th, not fluent last, no extra flat
held up in touch, weakened approaching 5th
mid-division, no headway from 5th
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, weakened 4th
held up, headway after 5th, mistake 3 out, weakened when mistake 2 out
held up in touch, ridden approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, soon beaten
chased leaders, jumped right 1st and reminded, weakened approaching 5th
always prominent, hung right from 3 out, led last, hard ridden flat, stayed on
held up, mistake 3rd, reminded after 4th, headway on outside approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mistake 3rd, always behind
Ones for the shortlist are Englishtown, Borehill Joker, Lone Soldier, Naked Oat, Little Rort and Sunnyland, with the vote going to Englishtown. Englishtown bounced back to form at Newton Abbot last time and, despite having been raised eight pounds in the weights as a consequence, can follow up in the hands of Tony McCoy. Forzacurity has struggled so far to get his head in front from his revised mark, while Figaro du Rocher remains well weighted, albeit on the best of his chase form. Blue Leader remains commendably consistent but looks vulnerable overall in terms of winning but can go well, while Saorsie is closely weighted with the selection based on Newton Abbot form. Borehill Joker has proven competitive in the past from his current mark and Lone Soldier, despite a good hike for a Market Rasen selling win, comes into the reckoning after that easy success. Naked Oat has been running consistently of late, winning in selling grade, and should be considered, and Little Rort is not far above a winning mark. Sunnyland showed some improvement last time, and he could improve again, so warrants some consideration, while Arjay keeps knocking at the door but looks vulnerable from a winning point of view. Once again, though, we will side with Englishtown.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 9-2fav (10-4) Led, jumped right 5th, hung right on the bend approaching 2 out, soon headed, one pace when hit last, 4th of 18, 6l behind Monticelli (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jun.
Englishtown (FR) 11-4 (11-9) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jun beating Saorsie (11-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Blue Leader (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Led, headed after 1st, led again after 4th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gf in Jun beating Rumbling Bridge (10-9) by 5l, 9 ran.
Saorsie 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Englishtown (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Borehill Joker 16-1 (10-8) Held up, headway and mistake 12th, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 31l behind Maidstone Monument (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Lone Soldier (FR) 9-2co-fav (11-5) Held up, headway 4th, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Jun beating Alethea Gee (10-11) by 12l, 14 ran.
Little Rort (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Made most until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 19l behind Earlsfield Raider (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in May.
Sunnyland 3-1jt-fav (10-3) Held up in touch, went 2nd 6th, led briefly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Kims Pearl (10-5) at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (E) gs in May.
