held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous
chased leader, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, no extra when lost 3rd towards finish
held up mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 4 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
led, not fluent and headed last, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden before last, never a factor
chased leaders, led last, kept on well towards finish
in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on
DECOY can land a competitive finale for David Pipe if in the same mood as when beating a big field at Cheltenham last week as he seems to get on well with promising conditional Conor O'Farrell. Pantxoa may provide the biggest threat having chased home the impressive Pateese at Sandown on his return from a break as Rajnagan has incurred the wrath of the handicapper since rattling up a four-timer earlier in the year. Occasionally Yours has ability but is high enough in the weights now while all of the others are returning from a lay-off. Smart Catch may be the best of those on this occasion.
Ciceron (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and behind approaching 3 out, 17th of 21, 44l behind Far Away So Close (9-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Pascha Bere (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Took keeen hold, always last, not fluent and ridden 6th, reminders 9th and next, outpaced and no chance from 4 out, tailed off, last of 4, 50l behind Gee Dee Nen (11-4) at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Occasionally Yours (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Chased leader until 5th, chased leading pair, pushed along after next, lost 3rd 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 10, 37l behind King Of The Night (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Pantxoa (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear and off the pace, headway on outside before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd last, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Pateese (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Rajnagan (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, closed from 4th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, shaken up to challenge when not fluent last, not recover, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Elsafeer (11-6) at Kempton 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Decoy (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Prominent, led 4th, clear after 3 out, 8 lengths ahead when mistake last, just held on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Semi Colon (10-8) by hd, 23 ran.
Smart Catch (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, hit 2 out, ridden and weakened soon after, last of 5, 39l behind Third Intention (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Featherbed Lane (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Rio Gael (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Action Impact (ARG) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, took keen hold, blundered 3rd, headway when not fluent 5th, mistake and beaten 2 out, 5th of 11, 4l behind Clear Sailing (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in May '10.