mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened after next
mid-division, lost place and hit 3rd, soon ridden and behind
held up, headway 5th, ridden when went 2nd and pecked 2 out, soon hung left, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 2 out, one pace flat
always towards rear
behind, ridden after 5th, headway approaching 2 out, ran on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden after 5th, weakened after next
always behind
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
keen, mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened next
refused to race, took no part
prominent to 5th
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden after 5th, one pace from 2 out
led 2nd to approaching 2 out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on flat
keen, in touch, led approaching 2 out, clear last, easily
Prince Adjal, Queen Excalibur and Virtus will fight out the opener with vote going to the last named. A winner at Bangor last time out when getting the better of Keep Asking by two and a half lengths Virtus comes here on form and with the services of Robert Stephens who can claim a valuable three pounds the horse looks to have as good a chance as any to follow up his recent success. Prince Adajal reverts back to hurdles after winning over the larger obstacles last time out and if reproducing and translating that same level of form will go close but this looks a little tougher therefore he would have to be at his very best. Queen Excalibur was fancied to win or go close last time out when an early faller at Stratford last week. Prior to that she did win a competitive race at Uttoxeter and is better off judged on that form so any market support could prove significant. But for the winner we return to Virtus.
Siena Star (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Red Canyon (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 3f hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Jul.
Virtus 6-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, mistake last, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd beating Keep Asking (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Queen Excalibur 5-1 (10-6) Held up when fell at the 3rd in race won by Sterling Guarantee (11-3) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf, 13 ran.
Desert Image (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 16, 18l behind Queen Excalibur (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Jul.
Prince Adjal (IRE) 11-4 (10-1) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf beating Who Dares (10-13) by 21l, 6 ran.
Think Quick (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, ran on close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Faddad (11-11) at Worcester 2m sll hcp hdl (G) gf.
Zahunda (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Held up and keen, tracked leaders 4th, weakened and lost place approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Thornton Bridge (9-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf, 6 ran.
Suchwot (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, joined leaders 5th, ridden and weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Marathea (10-4) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Jul, 12 ran.
