chased leaders, ridden 8th, weakened soon after 10th, tailed off
held up in rear, ridden and no response approaching 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, in touch, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led 7th, strongly pressed 2 out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
held up, steady headway approaching 4 out, disputing lead and every chance when blundered 2 out, still every chance last, not quicken flat
led to after 3rd, stayed handy, went 2nd 10th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, soon eased, tailed off
chased leaders, led after 3rd to 7th, weakened quickly after 10th, soon tailed off
in touch until ridden and weakened 4 out
held up in last pair, headway under pressure after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, driven and weakened flat
held up, hit 10th, driven after 3 out, headway from next, chased leaders last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won going away
Nonrunner
Im Spartacus is yet to win this year but is taken to land this at the expense of Hills Fort Timmy and Backbord. The selection comes from the Evan Williams yard that are continuing to churn out the winners. Im Spartacus was rated as high as 105 on the flat and has been running well in top class handicaps over hurdles of late. He finished third to From Dawn To Dusk at Cheltenham last time out and this race looks within his grasp. Hills Fort Timmy ran well to finish second off a career high mark at Towcester last time out. He is an improving sort and the market will give a good guide to his chances. Backbord will no doubt come on for the run today as he has not been seen since finishing fourth to Sonnyanjoe at the Punchestown Festival in April. His form reads well but fitness is not entirely certain. So for the winner we return to Im Spartacus.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden before 2 out, no extra approaching last, 4th of 8, 7l behind Chomba Womba (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Im Spartacus 15-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 12, 9l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Hill Forts Timmy 10-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway to chase winners 3 out, soon held, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Tora Bora (GER) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, headed after last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind That's Rhythm (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Mith Hill 4-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd briefly before 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 9, 27l behind French Saulaie (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Grecian Groom (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leader after 1st until approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 18l behind Cantabilly (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Isle de Maurice 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 16, 19l behind Supreme Huntress (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Jump Jet (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Held up and keen, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 26l behind Supreme Huntress (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Potts of Magic 8-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, effort 9th, ridden and lost place after 4 out, 6th of 9, 32l behind That's Rhythm (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Arafan (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 5th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Saunders Road (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Backbord (GER) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 8th 4 out, headway next, 3rd 2 out, 2nd last, kept on under pressure, 4th of 24, 3l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-6) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 0-130 gd in Apr.
