held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
led until 7th, ridden and weakened next
prominent, not fluent 2nd and 5th, led 7th, headed next, weakened 3 out
midfield, headway to chase leaders 4th, weakened before 5 out
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, led 8th, clear 3 out, soon driven, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd approaching last, never reached winner
behind, blundered 6th, soon weakened pulled before 5 out
Milgen Bay is a pound lower than when scoring at Leicester last season. It's possible the drop in trip will benefit as he's been looking very one-paced over further but NIKOS EXTRA is even better treated on past form. Alex Dunn's gelding has been showing a bit more lately and could be ready to end his losing run. Ted Dolly's third at Newton Abbot was his first place in 11 attempts over fences while the handicapper may have got to Respectueux. Strongly Suggested remains out of sorts while Gracchus' recent good form has been over hurdles.
Ted Dolly (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, effort 4 out, one pace 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Miss Tenacious (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jul.
Respectueux (FR) 5-1 (11-3) With leader, led 2nd, headed 7th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 39l behind No Likey (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Milgen Bay 2-1fav (11-10) Led until 3rd, led 5th, not fluent 4 out, headed when mistake last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Long Wave (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Strongly Suggested 11-4fav (11-9) Led, jumped a little slow early, headed before 2nd, lost place 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 28l behind Sudski Star (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
Nikos Extra (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent and one pace 2 out, 5th and no impression last, 5th of 9, 9l behind No Likey (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Gracchus (USA) 9-4 (10-7) In rear and in touch, headway after 4 out to track winner, ridden run-in, kept on and always held by winner, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Weather Babe (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Jul.
Mount Welcome (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Naledi (9-12) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jul '13.
