held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced by winner, lost 2nd flat
always behind
always behind
held up, headway 5th, hit 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last
led after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway from 2 out, kept on well to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden and every chance on outside after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
led until after 1st, remained prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear before last, eased towards finish
prominent to 4th, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, went 2nd 4th until 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, mid-division, headway 5th, hit 2 out, disputing 3rd and beaten when hit last
La Grande Villez gets the nod over Ellerslie Tom and Prince Ary, with Crossbow Creek certainly not out of it on his best form. At first glance this appears most competitive, but there was a lot to like about the manner of La Grande Villez' success at Market Rasen last time, and Alan King's charge is nominated as the answer. Her trainer has now got to the bottom of her, so the French import will be expected to take this uplift to grade 2 company in her stride. Ellerslie Tom has always been highly-rated by Peter Bowen, and continues to run well in defeat under big weights. He went close at Market Rasen last time, and will no doubt make his presence felt again without being quite good enough. There is little between him and Prince Ary on their running behind Kings Quay at the Lincolnshire track, and the latter has to be on the premises as well surely. Crossbow Creek is a class act on his day, having taken on top company over fences. No slouch on the Flat either, he is dangerous to leave out of calculations, with A P in the plate, but we shall stay loyal to La Grande Villez, so impressive last time.
Ellerslie Tom 18-1 (11-1) Held up, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed towards finish, 3rd of 17, hd behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 49l behind Berengario (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd.
Crossbow Creek 11-1 (11-11) Held up, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Bambi De L'orme (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Capitana (GER) 11-1 (10-13) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, every chance approaching next, no extra after last, 8th of 17, 5l behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
Saif Sareea 4-6fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, effort 4 out, ridden after next, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 6, 18l behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf in May.
O'Toole (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Always behind, 18th of 23, 37l behind Leslingtaylor (9-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
La Grande Villez (FR) 11-4jt-fav (11-7) Always prominent, led after 3 out, soon clear, hit last, ridden out, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating That Man Fox (10-5) by 8l, 13 ran.
Norma Hill 50-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 14th of 17, 34l behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
Polinamix (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off from 5th, 12th of 14, well behind Capitana (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jul.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out, 7th of 17, 5l behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
Prince Ary 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway when blundered 3 out, stayed on well from last, just held, 2nd of 17, shd behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
Dishdasha (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway to challenge on bit over 2f out, every chance approaching last, kept on towards finish, 4th of 17, 1l behind Kings Quay (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul.
